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Chamber and committees

Celebrating Inclusive Skating and its Founder, Margarita Sweeney-Baird BEM

  • Submitted by: Fulton MacGregor, Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 31 January 2023
  • Motion reference: S6M-07675

That the Parliament recognises the work of Inclusive Skating; notes that Margarita Sweeney-Baird BEM, who leads the Inclusive Skating group in Coatbridge is also the CEO and Founder of what it sees as this invaluable organisation; further notes that the group provides an important opportunity to those with additional support needs to learn to ice skate, develop skills, both for the ice and everyday life; understands that, after recognising that skating was not a part of the Paralympics in 2010, Margarita began work to provide an opportunity for any skaters with an impairment or disability; further understands that the organisation has continued to expand with competitors and trustees hailing from across the world; notes that Margarita is a former Scottish ladies ice skating champion herself, and is assisted by a number of talented former athletes, as well as dedicated volunteers; recognises that many in the group are competing in the Inclusive Skating World Championships 2023, hosted in Hamilton and organised by Margarita; considers that, in 2018, the event and the work done by Inclusive Skating was finally recognised by the International Skating Union; applauds that Margarita was awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to skating in the 2020 New Year Honours List by the late Queen Elizabeth II; believes that community-led enrichment groups, like Inclusive Skating, are vital to people with additional support needs and their wider communities, providing a space not only for skills development, but social engagement as well; thanks Margarita and her volunteers for their vital contributions, and wishes them and all their skaters well in the future.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Siobhian Brown, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Maggie Chapman, Jackie Dunbar, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Bill Kidd, Gillian Mackay, Ruth Maguire, Stuart McMillan, Jenni Minto, Audrey Nicoll, Paul O'Kane, Emma Roddick, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Evelyn Tweed