Our History
In 2002, Sydney played host to the 7th National Games of Special Olympics Australia. As a prelude to the Opening Ceremony for the Games, New South Wales Police were asked by Special Olympics New South Wales to participate in a "Torch Run" from Hobart, Tasmania to Sydney, New South Wales.
New South Wales took up the challenge and met members of the Victoria Police Torch Run team at Albury/Wodonga on the Murray River. They took charge of the Flame of Hope and ran it to Sydney, culminating in its arrival by Police Launch to Darling Harbour followed by a run into the Opening Ceremony being held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
In September 2006, New South Wales Police again responded to the call and conducted a Torch Run from Sydney to the Gold Coast where the Flame of Hope was handed over to Queensland Police who took it around various country centres in Queensland before arriving at the Opening Ceremony of the 8th National Games of Special Olympics Australia.
Shortly afterwards, the LETR (NSW) Committee was formed by a number of serving and retired New South Wales Police Officers. There is much to do in the coming years to ensure that the organisation grows stronger and the funds raised to support Special Olympics (NSW) increases.