800 Joan Mann Special Sports Day volunteers needed

  • Published
  • By Geoff Janes
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Team Mildenhall will host the 29th annual Joan Mann Special Sports Day here Sept. 18, and 800 volunteers are needed to ensure the event goes off without a hitch.

People are needed to escort the athletes, to meet buses and to welcome guests. Escor duties include getting them something to eat and drink, registration, helping them get to their games at the right time, and ensuring they're in the right place to receive their medals.

Also needed are volunteers to assist with parking, setting up, coordinating games, serving food, and tearing down at the end of the day.

The event will provide games, fun and entertainment for nearly 300 special-needs people from around East Anglia. Volunteers are also welcomed from RAFs Lakenheath, Feltwell, Molesworth, Alconbury and Fairford.

The day will begin with a traditional parade of athletes complete with torch and bagpipe procession leader and will end with an awards ceremony.

Events of the day include basketball, Frisbee toss, Football toss, bowling, tennis ball bounce, and obstacle course and wheelchair slalom.

The event started 29 years ago, when Joan Mann, a former Ministry of Defence civilian, decided to put together an event for special-needs people of all ages. The purpose of the event was to bring local British and American communities closer together and the Top 3 Fellowship has funded the event since it began.

Editor's note: If you would like to volunteer please email Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Stone at jennifer.stone@mildenhall.af.mil or call DSN 238-5564 for more information. Make sure to include which activity you prefer to volunteer for (if you have a preference): Set up, games, escort for athletes, tear down, handing out food or parking.