A BEVERLEY gymnast is to star in a national campaign to encourage people with learning disabilities to take part in sport.
Mary Nolan, 21, has been chosen to star in a new campaign by Coca-Cola GB to raise awareness of the Special Olympics Great Britian National Games, being held in Bath later this month.
She will be competing at the games with more than 1,700 other athletes from around the UK. Mary was chosen to represent artistic gymnastics in the campaign, which stars 12 Special Olympics athletes from around the UK.
Each person will represent the 12 different sports that will feature at the games.
Mary said: "I can't wait to show my friends my poster in Beverley and I can't believe I'm going to be up in Piccadilly Circus."
As part of the campaign, Mary was given the full VIP treatment at a professional film and photo shoot in London with renowned sports photographer Graham Hughes, whose past subjects include gold medal winning Olympians Jessica Ennis-Hill and Bradley Wiggins and other top sports stars such as Lewis Hamilton and Andy Murray.
Mary said: "The day with Coca-Cola was fantastic.
"I had my hair and make-up done and I loved it."
The images of Mary will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people as they'll appear on outdoor poster sites around the country, in the National Summer Games host city of Bath, across the London Underground, in national print advertising and even on the iconic Coca-Cola digital advertising screen in Piccadilly Circus.
Mary will also be able to see herself in the campaign a bit closer to home as from today, she will star on a poster site on Hull Bridge Road, Beverley.
Mary also took a lead role in a short film to promote the Coca-Cola Great Britain and Special Olympics GB partnership, reciting a line from a poem inspired by the official Special Olympics athlete oath: 'Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt'.
Special Olympics GB uses sport to encourage and empower people with learning disabilities, giving them the chance to train and compete in 24 Olympic sports, have fun, make friends, get fit and build their sense of inclusion and self-esteem.
Karen Wallin, CEO, Special Olympics Great Britain said; "Our athletes have been given a wonderful opportunity to be a part of Coca-Cola's campaign.
"Not only is this raising the profile of our partnership and the forthcoming Games, it will be an experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
"There's an open invitation to everyone from Beverley to come to the Games, enjoy the atmosphere and support Mary."
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