I wanted to do something to honour my Dad's memory this year, and to raise money for a cause he would have really wanted to support. I also wanted to take on a real personal challenge, so this November I will be spending three weeks in Nepal trekking to Everest Base Camp to raise money for SportsAid.
My Dad and I didn't always see eye to eye on everything, but we did share a passion for sports. We didn't necessarily agree on the sport (he loved football, I preferred F1, he couldn't swim, I spent half my teenage years in a swimming pool) and when we did agree on the sport we still found points of contention (even while he was in hospital we debated whether Sampras or Federer was the greatest of all time...) but fundamentally we agreed that participation in sports was a positive thing for young people.
Dad was involved in coaching local athletics and football teams over a number of years, and helped many young people to achieve their potential. He campaigned for better local facilities and support for young sports people, and recognised that often limitations in funding prevent talented young people from achieving their goals. Participation in competitive sport is expensive, and in many cases even those at the top level struggle to make ends meet. After winning two Olympic gold medals Becky Adlington (herself a receipient of SportsAid funding in the past) remarked in an interview that the increased sponsorship she had subsequently received through advertising deals had meant that her mum could finally get a new door for her oven - something they hadn't been able to afford before.
That's why I've decided to support SportsAid. They have a list of alumni which includes Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Chris Hoy and Dame Kelly Holmes, and over the years they have helped countless young people to progress their sporting ambitions. By working closely with the National Governing Bodies (NGB’s), SportsAid has a well established and proven process ensuring that young sportsmen and women that require help, get it when they need it most.
On average each athlete spends nearly £5,000 per year on equipment, training, traveling and all of the other essentials that are required to compete at the top level.
Once each nomination is agreed a SportsAid Award is presented to each individual athlete directly, not to their NGB. Intervention at such a crucial time is often the difference between a young sports person continuing in their chosen sport or quitting.
Young talent needs help and recognition – SportsAid provides both.
For more information on what SportsAid do please visit www.sportsaid.org.uk
My Dad wouldn't envy me the trek to Everest Base Camp - in fact he'd think I was mad - but I think he'd be proud of what I'm doing, and I know he'll be with me every step of the way.
Thanks for your support.
And now for the JustGiving part...
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