RAF Mildenhall hosts 32nd Annual Joan Mann Special Sports Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  RAF Mildenhall hosted the 32nd Annual Joan Mann Special Sports Day Sept. 28, 2013, on RAF Mildenhall.

JMSSD is an Olympic-styled event featuring 12 different sporting activities for more than 200 special-needs athletes from across England.

"Based off of the fun the athletes had and the comments I received from the caregivers and family members, JMSSD was a tremendous success," said Master Sgt. Shanton Russell, JMSSD volunteer coordinator. "Everywhere people were smiling, letting loose and enjoying themselves."

JMSSD started 32 years ago when Joan Mann, a Ministry of Defence employee working in RAF Mildenhall 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office, sought a way to bring the community and local bases together.

Since its inception, the event has continuously drawn hundreds of participants and volunteers each year.

This year, more than 500 volunteers from RAF Feltwell, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall helped make this event a success.

"For some of the athletes, this was their second or third time participating in the event," said Russell. "This was my first time participating in JMSSD. To see their joy, I would definitely do it again."