From throwing mortarboards to jumping fully-clothed into water, students finishing college take part in a number of rituals.

Eastern Daily Press: Ricky Brown competing in the 100m. Picture: Michael LyonsRicky Brown competing in the 100m. Picture: Michael Lyons (Image: Michael Lyons)

However, one Special Olympic athlete is planning to round off his college career in a much more meaningful way.

Eastern Daily Press: Ricky Brown competing in the long jump. Picture: Michael LyonsRicky Brown competing in the long jump. Picture: Michael Lyons (Image: Michael Lyons)

Ricky Brown, 22, is marking the end of his East Coast College career by holding a sponsored 5km shuttle relax, to fund his team's trip to national competition.

Mr Brown, Of Caister Road, Yarmouth, is a member of Special Olympics Norfolk, and is doing his bit to help fund his team, as they look to compete in the Special Olympics GB National Games in Sheffield this August.

Ricky's Funracing Relay starts at 11am on June 30, and will see teams of five running a kilometre each, starting on Gorleston Cliffs.

Denise Brown, Mr Brown's mother, said: 'Ricky had to overcome a lifetime of entrenched fears about trusting new people, strange places and fear of crowds to get involved with SON. He now has an active role in sports at college and with SON and Great Yarmouth Athletics Club.

'He was competed in local and national events and is extremely excited about competing at national level in August. It is a huge achievement.'

Kay Bayley, of Special Olympics Norfolk, said: 'It's Ricky's last day of college so it will be a celebration of his time there and one of the sports he loves.

'He was eager to fundraise in some way for the National Games and after chatting with his mum and his college tutor, Phil Worlledge, we thought this would be a really fun and inclusive way of achieving his aim.

'Among our aims is to provide a pathway for our more able athletes into more competitive sport, raise awareness of SON athletes in mainstream clubs and encourage more inclusively. We hope Ricky's example will go some way towards making this happen.'

At the National Games he will be competing in the 100m sprint, long jump and mini javelin, as part of a 28-strong squad representing Special Olympics Eastern Region.

He has received sponsorship from former Norfolk County Council chairman Rex Parkinson-Hare, but still needs to raise funds for his team.

Anybody interested in taking part in the event should contact Kay Bayley on 07825 77817 or visit the SON website.