Special Olympics: NZ team receive windfall

New Zealand's Special Olympics team have received a substantial windfall four months out from heading to Ireland for the 2003 Special Olympic Games.

The office of London-based New Zealand philanthropist Michael Watt today confirmed he had gifted $300,000 overall to the New Zealand Special Olympics team and the Hohepa Trust.

It is the biggest single personal donation Special Olympics New Zealand has ever received.

The 2003 Special Olympics World Games will be the largest sporting event in the world this year. A total of 7000 athletes, 2000 coaches and 1000 delegates will travel to Ireland from 160 countries.

Watt last year personally funded a charity jazz festival for Special Olympics New Zealand in Akaroa. The event raised $30,000.

Special Olympics New Zealand executive director Chris Hooper said Watt's decision to make a personal donation to New Zealand Special Olympics was a "fantastic shock".

"We are extremely grateful for the generosity shown by Michael Watt in making this donation and we look forward to meeting with him again in Dublin during the World Games," Hooper said.

The money will help towards the cost of getting the team of 60 people, including coaches, supervisors and medical staff, to Dublin for the event in June.

In addition to assisting with funding the World Games effort, the donation will be used to help New Zealand send teams to other Asia Pacific and international events.

Meanwhile, Hohepa Canterbury, a trust which cares for the intellectually disabled, has received a $30,000 donation from Watt.

- NZPA