// Support An Athlete - Schools
Laps for Inclusion
As part of our Support an Athlete campaign, we are inviting primary and secondary schools to host a fun run for the Ireland Summer Games taking place this June.
Ignite school spirit and inclusion by hosting a pupil-led run, inspired by the Special Olympics Games opening ceremony Torch Run.
Register your school today and be in with a chance to win a visit from the official Special Olympics Torch as it embarks on its journey to the Ireland Summer Games.
// What is the Torch Run?
The Ireland Summer Games & Torch Run
The Ireland Summer Games celebrate inclusion, friendship, and community, bringing together over 1,200 Special Olympics athletes from across the country to represent their local regions. At the opening ceremony, the Flame of Hope is carried by the guardians of the flame; members of An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and is lit by an athlete to officially open the Games – this is the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Lets get started
Setting up your fundraising page
It’s easy-peasy! Once you register your school, you will receive a link to your school’s online fundraising page. You can then personalise this as much as you like by adding logos, photos and a few words to help you reach your target of €250! Schools who raise €250 or more by 13th April will be in with a chance to win an official Torch Run visit!
Resources
Teaching & Fundraising Resources - at your finger tips!
After you sign up, you’ll receive teaching resources to help your pupils learn about inclusion and the Special Olympics Ireland Games, along with a fundraising and activity pack.
Our Champions
Meet the Athletes!
Meet just some of the amazing athletes that your support will help! Explore their stories, sports and journey to the Games, and see who’s representing your area. Training hard and chasing big goals, they’re ready for four unforgettable days of competition, all thanks to people like you!
// Laps for Inclusion
Laps for Inclusion
// How to Host a Fun Run Guide
FAQ's
For primary schools
Decide on a location – school gym, yard or local park
Select what time of day suits – will you incorporate it into a P.E. class, a nature walk/run, or will you choose another time during the school day?
Pick your activity – will it be a short run, a race or a relay?
Make sure the pupils bring the torches they made with them – activity sheets included in your fundraising pack
Remember to take photos to share on your fundraising page!
🏃♂️➡️For secondary schools
Decide on a location – school gym, running track or playing field?
Select what time of day suits – will you incorporate it into a P.E. class, perhaps an activity for S.P.H.E.?
Pick your activity – what would engage your students the most; a run around a track, a relay or a race?
Remember to take photos to share on your fundraising page!
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is a global community of law enforcement members that champions inclusion and acceptance for individuals with intellectual disabilities and who fundraise specifically for Special Olympics. In Ireland, An Garda Síochána and the PSNI are guardians of the Flame of Hope and will carry it into the opening ceremony of the Ireland Summer Games this June.
You can choose any date in March that works best for your school – it's really flexible!
Everyone! This event is all about promoting inclusion and creating bonds through activity. The fun run is designed specifically to be adaptable to pupils in both primary and secondary schools.
Of course! We will be sending digital fundraising packs to get you started. This will include a poster to promote your school run, a letter for parents/guardians. Primary school students will also get downloadable torches to colour in and bring on their walk.
The physical fundraising packs will be posted out towards the end of February and will include the same as above plus we have stickers and a torch balloon to use for your run!
Once you register your school to host a run, an online fundraising page will automatically be created for you. It will be live straight away and you will have the option to edit and personalise the page. This page can be shared on social media, in WhatsApp groups, via educational apps such as Child Paths, Aladdin etc., and via school mailing lists!
All schools who raise €250 or more by 13th April 2026 will be entered into a draw to win a visit. We will draw the winners on Tuesday 14th April. This is to ensure there is ample time to organise all visits around the country.
We will draw one winner from each region; Leinster, Connaught, Ulster and Munster and four schools in the Dublin region will be drawn for a visit. Both primary schools and secondary schools will be in the same draw.
To keep things as simple as possible, we recommend using your online fundraising page as your main method of collecting donations. All donations are live so will immediately appear on your page and bring you closer to your target of €250!
Cash and cheque donations are also welcome however by using the online fundraising page you will not have to worry about lodging cash or posting a cheque.