Toyota (GB) has reinforced its support for inclusive, grassroots sport by extending its Official Mobility Partner agreement with the charity Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) for a further two years.
Prior to this national partnership, Toyota has had a longstanding relationship with the Special Olympics movement globally, serving as a regional partner for Special Olympics Europe Eurasia since 2020 and a global partner of Special Olympics International since 2017.
Toyota’s partnership with Special Olympics GB, established in 2023, has made a significant impact in helping transform the lives of people with intellectual (learning) disabilities. At the end of last year, the Toyota Coaching Fund was created to help Special Olympics GB athletes and volunteers upskill and develop their coaching credentials, completing qualifications across Special Olympics GB’s 27 competition sports. As of the end of July, a total of 74 applications from across the country have been received for the fund. This is well on track to achieve a target of supporting 100 coaches.
Toyota (GB) has supported career development initiatives for Special Olympics GB athletes, including a bespoke employability programme for members of its Athlete Leadership Team. It also secured the return of the National Indoor Athletics Competition in London last year, through dedicated event funding.
In 2023, Toyota (GB) spearheaded a national awareness campaign for Special Olympics GB during the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. The campaign featured creative Team Special Olympics GB branding across prominent outdoor media sites, via fellow partner Ocean Outdoor, as well as a Fan Park at Westfield London.
“Toyota (GB) has been fantastic in enhancing development opportunities for Special Olympics GB athletes both on and off the field of play,” said Laura Baxter MBE, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB. “This has been more than a partnership – it has been a shared commitment to building an inclusive future and we’re proud to extend this relationship for a further two years.”
Scott Thompson, Toyota (GB) President and Managing Director, commented: “At Toyota we believe in the power of sport and mobility for all to transform people’s lives. It’s wonderful to see the results of our partnership so far, in providing more opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to experience the benefits of coaching and competition provided by Special Olympics GB. We’re looking forward to achieving even more over the next two years.”
