Kip McGrath launched a competition to inspire young people in Ballymena to think big about their dreams for the future, ending on 22nd February 2013.

Kip McGrath Education Centre Ballymena invited young people aged 9 to 14 years in the Ballymena area to get involved in a national competition run by Kip McGrath called Dream a Big Dream www.dreamabigdream.info. Kip McGrath Education Centre Ballymena wanted to hear from young people about their Big Dream for the future. Whether they want to save the rainforest, fly to the moon or become a world-renowned author, the competition invited young people to write passionately about their hopes and aspirations.

Dream a Big Dream was inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and was supported by three remarkable young athletes who hope to represent Great Britain in the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games. Paralympian T35 sprinter Sam Ruddock, javelin thrower Kike Oniwinde and 100m sprinter Rachel Johncock have all shared their own Big Dreams in specially created videos to help inspire young people to think big about their dreams.

Kip McGrath Education Centre Ballymena wanted to encourage as many young people from the local area to get involved. Mrs Wendy Rusk, Centre Director, explained: “We work with amazing children everyday at the Centre and experience first hand the potential they have to do great things. Dream a Big Dream is a great opportunity for local young people to set their mind to what they want to achieve in the future.”

Congratulations to Libby Harrison from Ballymena, winner of the Northern Ireland Regional Dream a Big Dream competition - who received £150 cash and signed certificate of congratulations from the olympian athletes. Well done from all at Kip McGrath.