Salvation Army member David gets set for Special Olympics

A Salvation Army member is gearing up to compete at the Special Olympics in Sheffield next month. 

David Stewart, from Dundee, will be going for gold in the 10-pin bowling when he joins up with the Tayside team travelling to the games from August 7 to 12. 

And the 52-year-old has thanked fellow members at his Salvation Army church in Menzieshill for raising money to help him and his team-mates fulfil their Special Olympics dreams. 

David, who has Down's Syndrome, has been participating in competitions since 2001 and has won a number of medals along the way. 

He is one of 90 athletes from Angus, Dundee Perth and Kinross taking part at the 2017 Special Olympics. The cost of taking an athlete to the games is £800 and each athlete is asked, where possible, to contribute £400. 

Leaders of our community church in Dundee wanted to help David and his team-mates by holding a coffee morning where they raised £150. The corps also sponsored a walk by David and helped him raise £190. 

Salvation Army church leader Captain Holly Needham said:

“We’re so pleased for David and we all wish him every success at the Special Olympics. 

“He's a credit to our church and we wanted to do something to help him and his team-mates – so we agreed on a coffee morning to raise funds. 

“The Special Olympics has increased training opportunities for so many people with learning disabilities, resulting in improved health and active lifestyles. Those who take part get such a sense of pride and achievement."