Special Olympics torch run a dream come true for Hayley

Central Coast local Senior Constable Hayley Schubert has been selected to represent NSW in the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) at the World Winter Games for the Special Olympics in Turin, Italy, in March next year.

Schubert, from Kanwal, will not only be running with the Flame of Hope through Italy, she will also be participating in a polar plunge event to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser for Special Olympics.

Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the opening ceremony of local competitions and into Special Olympics.

“I have been selected as one of the final leg runners for the final leg for the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games taking place in Italy and France,” Schubert said.

“This is a great honour and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to support the Special Olympics movement and its athletes.

“I was raised in a family who looked after children with special needs.

“I learnt early that I was fortunate to be born with no barriers to my abilities and that supporting people with barriers and seeing them achieve goals is so rewarding.

“Empathy is strength and a skill that has been instilled in me since I was born and throughout my career, and because of this, I have been able to lean on it in the most volatile of situations and successfully been able to de-escalate most situations.”

Schubert joined the NSW Police Force in 2017 and during her last week of police training at the Goulburn Academy, students sat through a number of presentations from various agencies and one of them was LETR.

“LETR talked about what they do and as soon as they started talking, I was hooked,” she said.

“I love being a part of LETR in support of Special Olympics.

“I love seeing the athletes so excited to see us and so happy to be a part of Special Olympics.

“I love that we can help people be a part of a team and support inclusion.

“As a police officer, it’s easy to forget why you joined because we deal with so much trauma in our careers but being part of LETR is a reminder of why I wanted to become a police officer- to help people.

“It makes me happy to see the athletes and proud to see them achieve their goals.

“It’s also great to be surrounded by senior police who are like-minded and kind people who have supported me so much over my career.

“This opportunity is a dream come true and I am proud to represent our community on the world stage.”

Those who would like to help support her in raising funds for the Special Olympics can donate at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/FinalLeg/HayleySchubert

Schubert is also assisting in organising an event at Cessnock PCYC for International Day of People with Disability on December 3.

The event is open to the public and there will be several information sessions about what is available for people with disabilities in the area.

Special Olympics Hunter Valley and Central Coast will also be in attendance to host some sporting activities.