The Flame of Hope made a stop in Red Deer this weekend as part of a celebration to the many athletes attending the 2017 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games next month.

Red Deer hosted the Final Leg Law Enforcement Torch Run Sunday afternoon at the Collicut Centre, to help raise funds for athletes competing at the Games in Medicine Hat.

Alberta Sherriff and member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run Society, Brad Cotmen, says it’s such a big event for these athletes and they need all the support they can get.

“It’s on the way to Nationals, so if they do well in Provincials, they can get up to Nationals and from Nationals they go to the Olympics. They’re pretty much on the third tier waiting to see if they get to go wherever the summer Olympics will be for this year.”

“For them it’s huge and we can’t support them enough.”

Law Enforcement Officers from around the world have participated in the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run prior to a Special Olympics Games since 1993.

Chairman of Special Olympics Red Deer, Jerry Tennant, says the support from the officers is something they really appreciate.

“Special Olympics are a charity of choice for a lot of officers around the world and there’s a group of dedicated ones from different branches of law enforcement here in Central Alberta, particularly in Red Deer.”

“They run special events and fundraisers throughout the year and do a terrific job and a strong supporter of our programs.”

The Games take place from July 7-9 and will host a total of 189 athletes from Central Alberta, including 10 from Lacombe.