A local skater can expect to have the Town of Minto behind her when she takes to the ice in Iceland for an international competition next month.
Local Special Olympian Kelsey-Rose MacDonald told council at the April 15 meeting she has been invited to participate in an inter-club competition in Reykjavik, Iceland, from May 19 to 27.
She is currently raising funds to cover expenses for the trip through a variety of means, including donation jars at local businesses and an online silent auction. She has raised about $1,000, but is still short of her goal of the required $3,000.
The Norwell District Secondary School student has been skating competitively since 2008 and qualified for provincial and national Special Olympics events in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
She told council her “best memory ever” was receiving a silver medal presented by Canadian Olympic gold medalist Jamie Sale at the national competition in St. Albert, Alberta.
This past season has been a rough one, says MacDonald.
“I ended up dealing with many health issues” while training and practicing for skating and competitions, she said.
A concussion suffered during a fall at a practice session has also slowed her down, she added.
However, in February, she received a call from her coach, Julie Dunlop, inviting her to participate in the inter-club competition in Reykjavik, Iceland in May.
“I hope to come home from Iceland with many stories of skating and all of the wonderful people I meet,” MacDonald stated in her presentation.
Mayor George Bridge encouraged the youth to apply for a $300 contribution through the town’s donation policy.
Anyone wishing to make a contribution to help MacDonald fulfill her dream of competeing in Iceland should contact her or her mother, Karen MacDonald, at 226-431-2055 or 519-444-4209 or by email at karenmac052@gmailcom.
