Ron Pickering OBE was one of British sport’s great visionaries. He was a former Physical Education teacher and national athletics coach, training Lynn Davies to Tokyo Olympic gold. Ron is best remembered as the voice of athletics on BBC commentaries and iconic programmes such as Superstars. He was awarded the OBE by the Queen in 1986 for services to sport.

When he died unexpectedly in 1991, his wife Jean, herself an Olympic medallist from the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, and children Kim and Shaun set up the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund to help young British athletes fulfil their potential.

Since then, supported by the Trustees and a network of volunteers, the fund has raised and awarded over £1.5 million in small but significant grants to several thousand talented young British athletes.

Over two thirds of the British athletics Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012 had at some stage of their careers received support from the Fund, including all of the London 2012 Olympic athletics medallists.

Each grant is designed to make a difference, helping the recipients make the difficult transition from junior to senior level through support for equipment, specialist coaching or travel and importantly help build the athletes’ confidence and self esteem through recognition.

Sadly, Jean passed away aged 83, on March 25, 2013 but the Fund continues her legacy by supporting the young athletes of the future.

Read more at http://www.rpmf.org.uk/rpmf/#TmSGvGVurhVFYqwH.99