As National Volunteers Week draws to a close, Special Olympics Great Britain celebrates its very first volunteer — Chris Maloney MBE — the visionary who founded the organisation in 1978, a decade after the movement began in the United States.
Chris’s journey began in 1975 while working as a senior swimming instructor for Gloucester City Council. One Saturday morning would change everything.
“I had taught many children with physical disabilities, but one day I noticed a boy named Paul waving from the spectator seats,” recalls Chris. “When I asked why he wasn’t joining in, his parents said, ‘He’d love to, but he has Down Syndrome, and it would be a challenge.’”
Chris offered Paul one-to-one lessons. Within weeks, Paul was swimming with the rest of the class — eventually receiving his 10-metre certificate alongside his peers.
“The joy on his parents’ faces was magical,” says Chris. “That moment opened the door for other children with learning disabilities to join my classes.”
Inspired by Paul’s progress, Chris wrote an article for MENCAP’s Parents’ Voice magazine, sharing how children with intellectual disabilities could be taught to swim. He had no idea it would connect him with a global movement.
After reading Times to Remember by Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, Chris sent a letter — and a copy of his article — to Rose, which was forwarded to her daughter, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics. Eunice replied enthusiastically, encouraging Chris to establish Special Olympics in Great Britain. She also introduced him to Sir Hugh Fraser MP, who became a vital supporter.
Together, Chris and Sir Hugh began forming a committee and organising one-day events under the Special Olympics GB banner, which all had opening ceremonies and medal presentations.
“Clubs loved the concept and the classification system for athletes, where they could all compete at their own level of ability. We quickly built momentum and the clubs who participated were starting to adopt the ‘Special Olympics’ name in their title.”
The first major milestone came in 1979, when Special Olympics GB sent 32 athletes to the World Games in Brockport, New York. Chris led the swimming squad, and Marks & Spencer supplied the team’s uniforms.
"Walking into that stadium brought a lump to my throat," adds Chris. "Some of the athletes had never left their postcode. Now they were competing internationally."
The team returned with 60 medals — a moment that confirmed Special Olympics GB was here to stay.
By 1982, Chris was seconded from Gloucester City Council to help build the charity’s foundations. He was based at the M&S head office in London, travelling the UK to grow support.
“We often faced resistance from sports bodies. But once they saw the joy and ability at our events, they backed us.”
Chris organised Special Olympics GB’s first national competition — a swimming gala at Arborfield Barracks in Berkshire — and its first multisport National Games in Knowsley, Lancashire in 1982. Volunteers were essential, with support from M&S staff past and present, local Rotary clubs, and Lions International.
“Volunteerism was, and remains, the heartbeat of Special Olympics,” he said.
Chris went on to attend four Special Olympics World Games and he remains deeply proud of what Special Olympics GB has become.
To anyone considering volunteering — do it. The joy, gratitude and impact will change your life. It certainly changed mine.
And Paul, the boy who started it all? He went on to win many medals, take part in football training, and he even meet Kevin Keegan and the England team.
“His journey was the spark,” says Chris. “Special Olympics GB exists because we believed in what people with intellectual disabilities can achieve — and volunteers brought that belief to life.”