The leading hotel group will give its first $2,000 grant to Melbourne Special Olympics Athlete Chris McMahon ahead of this year’s Special Olympic Games
Leading hotel group, Choice Hotels Asia Pacific, has launched its Choice Hotels Community Sports Grants Program, supporting registered sporting clubs and individual athletes as they return to sport across Australia and New Zealand.
Until the 22nd of August 2022, registered sporting clubs and individual athletes can apply to receive one of five remaining grants, with $2,000 available per club or athlete, to assist a club project or fund vital travel costs to compete in sporting events across Australia and New Zealand.
The first grant recipient has been awarded to Special Olympics Athlete, Chris McMahon, who will receive $2,000 to make his dream of competing in the 2022 Special Olympics National Games a reality. Chris is a dedicated athlete, with almost 200 medals from state and club games across Australia. This year Chris has been selected to go to Launceston in October as part of the Tenpin Bowling Team.
Born with Downs Syndrome, Chris’s NDIS funding did not cover his attendance this year, and Choice Hotels is delighted to help him continue to pursue his passion for the games.
Choice Hotels Asia Pac Senior Director, Strategy, Sales & Marketing Kari Hunter says Special Olympics Australia’s involvement in the Choice Sports Program is part of the not-for-profit organization’s national fundraising efforts.
Each athlete must fundraise to cover the $3360 fee to attend and, in addition to this, each state team must fundraise the cost of sending support staff. This year Team Victoria is sending 213 athletes and a support crew of 40 staff.
“The Special Olympics provide a supportive and inspiring program for athletes with a disability, and we wanted to be able to support an athlete who might otherwise not have been able to attend the games.”
Since its launch in Australia 20 years ago, the leading hotel group has supported local community groups and sporting clubs. The ongoing Choice Sports Program provides club members with a 15 percent discount on accommodation with a bonus 7 percent rebate to the club.
Ms Hunter says community sport is at the heart of the towns and regions where the groups hotels operate with many properties in the group active participants and sponsors of local sporting clubs and events.
“Hosting travelling sporting teams and being part of the local community events is a highlight for our hoteliers. These grants give us an opportunity to help clubs and athletes who have struggled through lockdowns return to competition and drive projects that will encourage participation.”
“We are thrilled to go one step further this year, supporting Chris and others in making their dreams come true after two years where competition has been challenging,” Ms Hunter added.
Applications for this year’s Choice Community Sports Grant Program open Friday, 8 July 2022 and close Monday, 25 August with recipients announced on Monday 5, September 2022. For more information visit www.choicehotels.com/en-au/groups/community-grants
