600 Volunteers needed for 27th sports day Published Aug. 27, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- For 27 years RAF Mildenhall has hosted the Joann Mann Sports day, and once again they are in need of more than 600 volunteers to help with the event Sept. 13. The sports day is hosted to bring the joys of organized sports to up to 300 special children throughout the local area. "There are a lot of different areas [the volunteers] could be working," said Master Sgt. Christina Scampitilla, Joan Mann Sports Day Committee co-chairman. "They could be escorts for the participants, registrars, cookers or any behind the scene helper. " Volunteers will work anywhere from seven to ten hours and "their biggest challenge will be making sure the participants have a good time," the master sergeant said. "We really need the support of RAF Lakenheath and Mildenhall to make this event happen," said Master Sgt. Jeff Blackwell, committee chairman. According to a "Joan Mann Sports Dad History" letter received from the committee, the sports day will include fifteen events for both males and females and also include sports for sitting and standing. For a complete list of events, click here. The history of the sports day dates back 27 years when Joan Mann, a Ministry of Defense employee, who, according to the letter, "had great sympathy for the particular difficulty experienced by special needs people of all age. A spate of noise complaints from the British community ... set [Ms. Mann] to racking her brain for something that would help draw [the U.S. Air Force and local community] together." She coordinated her idea with the Top Three Fellowship, who raised the funds necessary and have worked the event ever since. Airmen from RAF Mildenhall who would like more information or to volunteer should contact Tech. Sgt. Thomas Britton at 238-7388. Airmen at RAF Lakenheath who would like more information or to volunteer should contact Senior Master Sgt. Joe Anderson at 226-1614.