It was Jan Aitken's last day in her dream job yesterday. She has resigned her job with Special Olympics for personal and family reasons.
Aitken has been the lower South Island regional sports co-ordinator for Special Olympics for the past three years and in that time has lifted the profile of the organisation.
"I am off to spend more time with my family and to be the executive officer at Dunedin North Intermediate," she said.
Aitken worked long hours and covered vast distances covering her territory from Timaru to Invercargill.
While in the role she often worked between 60 and 80 hours a week.
The move to more regular hours is good news for husband Graeme and children Matt, Grace and McKenzie.
"I'll have more time at home with them," Aitken said. "The garden needs attention and I'll have more time to do the baking."
It was difficult to turn Aitken down when she asked for help, something which has resulted in a huge increase in Special Olympics numbers and volunteers in the South.
There are now 250 children competing in Special Olympic sport at schools in the region and club membership has increased.
The number of volunteers involved in Special Olympics has increased from 150 to 300.
She has enlisted the backing of Otago Polytechnic students, Sport Otago and the Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association.
The numbers competing in Special Olympics have increased across the region: South Otago up from 10 to 20, Central Otago from 10 to 30, Eastern Southland from four to 15, Southland from 70 to 100 and Otago from 70 to 150.
Numbers have doubled in North Otago and have increased from zero to 30 in Timaru.
Aitken had a passion for her job and introduced many special needs pupils to sport, giving them an understanding of competition, helping them to become winners and presenting them with ribbons.
"I get a real kick when I see the kids go away from the ribbon ceremony with a grin on their faces,"she said.
"I have received tremendous support from many businesses, sports bodies, regional trusts, schools, tertiary institutions, media groups and individuals.
"We have been able to raise the profile of our athletes, coaches, volunteers and Special Olympics and given our athletes some real kudos in their communities."
Aitken will not be completely lost to Special Olympics. She will help organise football tournaments in Dunedin and Gore this month and after that will continue to work as a volunteer.
