THE borough’s Special Olympics team will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this weekend.

Dudley Olympics will be marking the milestone with a bash at Dudley Castle this Saturday June 16.

Past and present athletes, coaches and supporters are invited to the event which will include a hog roast, disco and entertainment by comedienne Marlene.

Dudley Olympics was founded back in 1982 by tireless community stalwart Mac Scott from Wordsley who says he felt there was a need for people with disabilities to be given chance to shine through sports.

Over the last three decades the club’s membership has risen from just six athletes at the outset to more than 100 - and its swimming stars and track and field competitors have picked up thousands of medals between them.

Mac, chairman of the squad, said: “I’ve got a feeling I’ve been blessed to be able to give learning disabled young people the chance to compete and succeed in sport and improve their confidence and be healthy.

“It’s been the biggest part of my life.”

Awarded the MBE in 2000 for his dedication to the team, Mac says he could not have done it alone.

He said: “A lot of people have been with me for nearly 30 years - and they all deserve as much credit as it get. “My friends, helpers and coaches have been an inspiration.”

The team, one of the first Special Olympics squads in the country to be set up, was founded after Mac met with representatives of Eunace Kennedy Shriver who started the Special Olympics Movement in the USA.

The grandfather-of-five, who used to run The Mere Centre for people with disabilities in Norton, was also later fortunate enough to meet in person the famous lady, who was the sister of American president John F. Kennedy.

A few tickets (priced £10) remain for Saturday’s anniversary bash.

Anyone wishing to attend or to find out more about Dudley Olympics can call Mac Scott on 07855 382011.