A MITSUBISHI dealership in Crewe is helping to raise thousands of pounds so that two teenagers can take part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in America.

The Grenson Motor Company has already donated £1,000 to Sophie Hughes, 13, and Felicity Martin, 18, and this Friday, July 18th, the dealership will be hosting a Ladies’ Night to boost the funds.

The girls, who have been selected to represent Great Britain after winning a number of competitions including at national level, need to raise £2,500 each to take part in the rhythmic gymnastics competition at the event.

The Special Olympics is for people with intellectual disabilities and is being held in Los Angeles next summer. Some 7,000 athletes from 177 countries will be there, competing in 21 sports.

Sophie, who has an auditory processing disability, and Felicity, who has confidence issues, both train at The Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sports and Arts, in Broad Street, Crewe, where they have been going since they were eight and two and a half respectively.

Sean Pattinson, Dealer Principal at the dealership in Marshfield Bank Employment Park, Middlewich Road, said: ‘These girls and their families face such a struggle with day-to-day life. The Games are incredibly important for them, so we’re delighted to help them as much as possible towards their target. We hope they realise their Olympic dream, and we’ll certainly be rooting for them!’

Sophie’s mother, Liz, of Alton Street, Crewe, said: ‘To get this support is fantastic. I’m just over the moon. It absolutely means the world to me that Grenson is doing this. I can’t thank them enough. The Games will be a brilliant opportunity for Sophie.’

Felicity’s mum, Linda, of Abbotsbury Close, Wistaston, near Crewe, added: ‘We are very grateful to Grenson. It’s amazing what the girls will get out of the Games. This is brilliant because it’s hard work for parents to fundraise, because you don’t like to keep going to the same people all the time, so this takes the pressure off quite a bit. It’s a big relief.’

Both Linda and Liz had been batting fundraising ideas about when Linda suggested writing to car dealerships, which Liz duly did and Grenson came up trumps.

Now it will be hosting the Ladies’ Night to boost the pot even further. It will include a fashion show, pop-up boutiques, handbags and jewellery for sale, a live performance from students of The Cheshire Academy, as well as live music, nibbles and a raffle full of great prizes.

Tickets cost £5 and are available by calling Service Adviser Annabelle Gibson on 01270 507490 or emailing annabelle@grensonmotor.co.uk