Northampton rhythmic gymnast Ellie-Bea Thomas features in Meals That Matter campaign as Co-op meal deal returns

A Special Olympics GB gymnast from Northampton is taking centre stage in a major nationwide Co-op campaign returning this summer. Ellie‑Bea Thomas is one of four athletes featured in Meals That Matter - the campaign led by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) in partnership with Co-op and Special Olympics Great Britain (GB), which uses everyday meal deals to raise funds for inclusive sport and help put athletes with intellectual disabilities in the spotlight.

Running until 1st September, Meals That Matter donates 5p to Special Olympics GB for every qualifying Co-op lunchtime meal deal purchased with a 500ml bottle or can of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar or Diet Coke – helping fund year-round sport for more than 12,000 athletes across England, Scotland and Wales.

Makaton symbols are integrated into point-of-sale materials again this summer, helping ensure the campaign is accessible to the more than 10,000 children and adults across the UK who use Makaton to communicate.

Ellie-Bea first began gymnastics aged seven and competed in her first Special Olympics competition just two years later, at the age of nine. Since then, she has represented her country hundreds of times, from the National Special Olympics Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships to the 2023 World Summer Games in Berlin, where she won two gold medals.

Her success in Berlin was captured in the short documentary Six For Gold, which premiered in 2024 and has since been shown at film festivals across the UK. The film has helped bring Ellie-Bea’s journey to new audiences, demonstrating how sport can transform lives and change perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities.

Ellie-Bea is also featured in Coca‑Cola’s ‘We Can’ athlete films – part of the wider partnership with Special Olympics GB ahead of the National Summer Games, where Coca‑Cola, alongside CCEP, is Headline Partner.

Through Special Olympics GB, Ellie-Bea has found confidence, independence and a community that has helped her thrive both in and beyond gymnastics. 

Ellie-Bea said: “I competed in my first Special Olympics competition when I was 9 and have been involved ever since. If I had to pick my favourite experience, it would be the World Games in 2023. Getting to represent your country is an amazing feeling and walking into an immense stadium - filled with supporters - makes you feel so proud.” 

Holly Firmin, Senior Community Partnerships Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said: “Meals That Matter turns a familiar moment in retail into something more meaningful. Every qualifying meal deal helps raise funds for Special Olympics GB’s year-round work, while giving athletes greater visibility in the places people shop every day. With the National Summer Games coming to Birmingham later this month, it’s a great moment to help more people discover the athletes and communities Special Olympics GB supports.”

Dusan Stojankic, General Manager, Coca-Cola GB, said: “Ellie-Bea’s journey shows the confidence, pride and opportunity that sport can create. From taking up gymnastics as a child to winning gold on the world stage, her story is a powerful reminder of what athletes with intellectual disabilities can achieve when they are supported to follow their passion. Through Coca-Cola’s partnership with Special Olympics GB, we are proud to help celebrate athletes like Ellie-Bea and shine a light on the role sport can play in building a more inclusive future.” 

Laura Baxter MBE, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB, said: “Every athlete featured in this campaign has a story to be celebrated. They're talented competitors, brilliant teammates and role models for future generations, yet too often people with an intellectual disability are not seen in this way. “Meals That Matter helps change that. By seeing our athletes in Co-op stores across the country, more people will discover what Special Olympics GB is all about and, we hope, be inspired by everything these athletes can achieve. We’d love to see people continue that support at the National Summer Games in Birmingham this month. Come along, cheer on our athletes and be part of what’s going to be an incredibly special few days.”