Athletes from Special Olympics Haringey club fielded a team at a special event hosted by Hendon Police College to mark the special occasion yesterday. 

The athletes took part in an afternoon of world-class coaching and skills training, followed by a unified football match between Special Olympics GB Haringey and the Ladies Metropolitan Police football team.

Hope said: “I am delighted to be taking on this special role. I am a firm believer that everyone should have the opportunity to play football which has been my life since the age of 14.

"The work that Special Olympics does is very much supportive of The FA's commitment to providing opportunities to learning disabled athletes, and people of all disabilites to get involved, and I hope in some small way my Ambassadorship will help encourage more people to get involved, whether it being playing, coaching, refereeing or volunteering."

Special Olympics Great Britain (SOGB) is part of the Special Olympics global movement which is recognised as the third member of the Olympic family. The programme specialises in providing year-round athletic training and competition for people with learning disabilities of all abilities. 

Through its sports programmes, Special Olympics strives to provide not only long-term benefits to individuals’ health, but to self-esteem and social integration, with over 1.2 million people with learning disabilities living in the UK alone.