RAF Mildenhall hosts 29th Annual Joan Mann Special Sports Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Austin May
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  About 300 participants gathered here Sept. 18 for the 29th Annual Joan Mann Special Sports Day, an invitational sports event for special-needs people across England.

According to Master Sgt. Timothy King, the event chairperson, around 900 volunteers came out from RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath to ensure the Olympic-style event was a success.

The day began with a traditional parade of athletes and torch ceremony, complete with a bagpipe procession leader. Participants then competed in events, such as a tennis ball bounce, bowling, track and field, and team sports such as football and basketball. While awards were presented to the participants, the emphasis was more on fun than competition.

"This is a great time - a great event," said Sergeant King.

In addition to the sporting events, participants had access to static displays of a Humvee, fire truck and special operations aircraft.

According to Sergeant King, the event required more than six months of planning, and volunteers were crucial to its success. For many who gave up their Saturday to lend a hand, it's something they're willing to do over and over.

"This is a good way to give back to the community and help other people," said 1st Lt. Lindsay Freeman, 352nd Special Operations Group, who volunteered at the event. The lieutenant also volunteered for the 2009 Joan Mann Special Sports Day.

Twenty-nine years ago, Joan Mann was a Ministry of Defence employee working in the public affairs office at RAF Mildenhall. She conceived the special sports day as a way to not only offer special-needs people of all ages a day of fun, but also to draw the civilian and military communities closer together.