#SupportTheBest: INAS to hold charity dinner, auction

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (INAS) will hold an auction and dinner to support the world’s best athletes with an intellectual impairment.

The event will take place on 23 November at the Copthorne Hotel in Sheffield, Great Britain.

Early bird tickets are on sale now at www.inas.org/support-us for GBP 35 per person or GBP 245 for a table of eight before 23 October. After that, tickets will be GBP 39 per person or GBP 273 for a table of eight.

The charity auction and three-course dinner, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature a key note speech from London 2012 Paralympic Games gold medallist Jessica-Jane Applegate. The 21-year-old swimmer, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, also bagged two silver medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the women’s 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley S14.

Applegate said: “INAS does fantastic work on behalf of athletes with intellectual impairments all around the world and they have certainly helped me a lot during my career.

“After London 2012 we really saw an upturn in interest and support for Para sport that was carried through to Rio 2016 and that has really helped. However there is so much work that goes on in between the Paralympic Games, and in sports not on the programme, that help athletes like me train, compete and reach the podium.

“INAS cannot continue to do that without the help and generosity of the public, so come and join me in Sheffield for what I am sure will be a very fun evening while supporting the world’s best athletes.”

INAS supports around 300,000 athletes and is recognised by the International Paralympic Committee to lead the development of sport for this group of athletes around the world.

As well as swimming, athletics and table tennis at the Paralympic Games, INAS also runs world and regional Championships in 13 other sports. These range from cycling, basketball and football to alpine and cross-country skiing.

In addition, the organisation aims to promote the inclusion of athletes with an intellectual impairment in society.

Working in partnership with the Copthorne Hotel and other local businesses, INAS has secured some great lots for guests to bid on. These include a night in the Penthouse suite at the four star Copthorne Hotel and Sheffield United match tickets, with other items to be revealed over the coming weeks and months.

A celebrity auctioneer, to be confirmed, is also expected to pick up the gavel to run the event, which is being called #SupportTheBest.