Special Olympics Ireland needs to raise 5 million in 2007 to support the existing programme (11,000 athletes, 18,000 volunteers, 2,500 family members) and also to fund the recruitment process which will enable the organisation to realise the strategy of having 16,000 athlete recruited by the end of 2007. In order to raise this necessary funding SOI will launch a national campaign in January asking the people of Ireland to donate or engage themselves in any fundraising event to support an athlete in their own community.