THE FUND-RAISING efforts by the family of a St Andrews swimmer due to take part in the 2007 Special Olympic Games in China has provided a cash boost for Disability Sport Fife.

Ryan Peterson was required to raise money to help pay for his participation in the Games in Shanghai in October as a member of the Great Britain team.

However, he surpassed his target thanks to a series of fund-raising events and support from the local community which allowed him to hand over a cheque for £1884 to the Fife organisation.

In addition, members of Annandale Bridge Club and the Step Rock Swimming Club in St Andrews have presented cheques of £250 and £200 respectively to Disability Sport Fife in support of Ryan.

He has already taken part in three training weekends—two in Middlesborough and one in Manchester—where he has been able to meet up with the two coaches who will be looking after him and the other seven swimmers in the squad.

Ryan is due to fly out to Shanghai on September 26, arriving in Huang Pu two days later—a few days before the competitions get under way.

His mother, Mrs Sylvia Peterson said, “This will allow the athletes a chance to learn more about Chinese culture and acclimatise to a new environment. It will also help citizens of China learn more about people with intellectual disabilities.”

The opening ceremony is on October 2 and the Games get under way the following day.

All the swimming is due to take place in the futuristic Pudong area and Ryan will be competing in the 50 metres freestyle, 50 metres backstroke and the 4 x 50 metres freestyle men’s relay.

Disability Sport Fife nominated six athletes for the Great Britain team for the Games and, after a lengthy selection process, four members and one support coach were chosen for the final team.

The others joining Ryan are cyclist Stephen Burns, golfers David Kerr and Ruairidh Deans, along with support staff member, Craig Martin, who has been appointed team manager of the golf section.

Great Britain has entered a team of 155 athletes—for some 20 sports—who will compete against 7000 special Olympians from 160 countries in the 10-day event.