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Farrell gearing up for Worlds » Sports » Niagara Gazette
While North Tonawanda City Hall was decked out in blue and gold Thursday, Mayor Robert Ortt decided instead to show his support for a homegrown athlete.
Ortt donned a red, white and blue Team USA hockey jersey, and not because of No. 30 between the pipes.
Former North Tonawanda swimming standout Scott Farrell will swim for the United States National Deaf Swimming Team at the World Deaf Swimming Championships from Aug. 6 to Aug. 13 in Coimbra, Portugal.
“Obviously Scott making it to the World Deaf Swimming Championships and to be able to compete at that level is a great honor and a great accomplishment for him,” Ortt said. “It was a small way to try and support him and try to raise some money for him to help him get down there.”
Ortt added that Farrell is an inspiration to many.
“You can’t control what you’re dealt, but all you can do is take what you have an make it better,” he said. “Clearly he’s not using (his disability) as an excuse. He’s not only competing, but he’s winning and being very successful and I think it’s an inspiration not just to other kids who may have a handicap, but to anybody.
“Clearly to other people in NT he’s a perfect role model to say don’t make excuses and go out there and be the best that you can be and see where that takes you.”
Farrell, who currently swims for RIT, will be holding a fundraiser at the Sikora Post, 950 Payne Ave. in North Tonawanda on May 22 to help fund his trip to Worlds.
The cost for Farrell to make the trip to Portugal to participate in the event is roughly $4,000.
But Farrell’s mother Susanne Williams said Friday that the support from the local and national community has been beyond remarkable.
“It’s crazy to have 25 people at City Hall dress down for him,” Williams said. “I was shaking when they called. The support has been surreal to me.
“That really hit the nail on the head,” she continued. “He’s getting so much support it’s crazy.”
Furthermore, Farrell has garnered national sponsorships from corporations such as Calgon Carbon Corporation and Phonak Hearing Aids.
Williams said that Farrell will be shooting a photo with GNC during his Easter break for an upcoming newsletter.
This is the second fundraiser Farrell has had in as many years as the community poured in support for him a year ago for help fund his trip to San Fernando, Calif. for the U.S. National Deaf Swimming team’s roster.
This year Williams said she has already received 150 items for the basket raffle, including plenty of autographed Buffalo Sabres memorabilia.
Tickets for the raffle are $5 for one and $10 for three. A $1 entry includes two door prize entries. Kids are free.
For more information on the event or how to donate, contact Williams at 583-3111 or smwilliams66@gmail.com.
While North Tonawanda City Hall was decked out in blue and gold Thursday, Mayor Robert Ortt decided instead to show his support for a homegrown athlete.
Ortt donned a red, white and blue Team USA hockey jersey, and not because of No. 30 between the pipes.
Former North Tonawanda swimming standout Scott Farrell will swim for the United States National Deaf Swimming Team at the World Deaf Swimming Championships from Aug. 6 to Aug. 13 in Coimbra, Portugal.
“Obviously Scott making it to the World Deaf Swimming Championships and to be able to compete at that level is a great honor and a great accomplishment for him,” Ortt said. “It was a small way to try and support him and try to raise some money for him to help him get down there.”
Ortt added that Farrell is an inspiration to many.
“You can’t control what you’re dealt, but all you can do is take what you have an make it better,” he said. “Clearly he’s not using (his disability) as an excuse. He’s not only competing, but he’s winning and being very successful and I think it’s an inspiration not just to other kids who may have a handicap, but to anybody.
“Clearly to other people in NT he’s a perfect role model to say don’t make excuses and go out there and be the best that you can be and see where that takes you.”
Farrell, who currently swims for RIT, will be holding a fundraiser at the Sikora Post, 950 Payne Ave. in North Tonawanda on May 22 to help fund his trip to Worlds.
The cost for Farrell to make the trip to Portugal to participate in the event is roughly $4,000.
But Farrell’s mother Susanne Williams said Friday that the support from the local and national community has been beyond remarkable.
“It’s crazy to have 25 people at City Hall dress down for him,” Williams said. “I was shaking when they called. The support has been surreal to me.
“That really hit the nail on the head,” she continued. “He’s getting so much support it’s crazy.”
Furthermore, Farrell has garnered national sponsorships from corporations such as Calgon Carbon Corporation and Phonak Hearing Aids.
Williams said that Farrell will be shooting a photo with GNC during his Easter break for an upcoming newsletter.
This is the second fundraiser Farrell has had in as many years as the community poured in support for him a year ago for help fund his trip to San Fernando, Calif. for the U.S. National Deaf Swimming team’s roster.
This year Williams said she has already received 150 items for the basket raffle, including plenty of autographed Buffalo Sabres memorabilia.
Tickets for the raffle are $5 for one and $10 for three. A $1 entry includes two door prize entries. Kids are free.
For more information on the event or how to donate, contact Williams at 583-3111 or smwilliams66@gmail.com.