BORDERS MP Michael Moore today showed his support for local athlete Lucy Porteous and encouraged residents to back the GB team’s fundraising campaign to support their participation at the Special Olympics 2015 World Summer Games in Los Angeles from 25 July until 2 August.

Special Olympics presents a unique opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities every four years to represent their country at an international competition. The Special Olympics World Summer Games is the largest disability sporting event anywhere in the world in 2015. In the region of 7,000 athletes from 177 countries - along with 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators – will take part in the Games.

Lucy Porteous, from the Kelso Orchard Tennis Club, will be part of the 170-strong GB team from across England, Scotland and Wales hoping to attend the Games to represent Great Britain this summer. The team need to raise funds to help cover the cost of each of their nominated athlete/coaches travel, kit and training costs. The club has been busy raising funds and is appealing to local residents to show their support with a donation to their team members via the Special Olympics Virgin Money Giving page - Text GBLA15 + £YourAmount TO 70070 Mr Moore said: “Special Olympics GB offers a fantastic opportunity for our local athletes to show off their skills on the world stage. I am sure everyone will join me in getting behind Lucy in her training and fundraising efforts for this years’ Games.”