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SportsAid at 40 - helping the talented

As SportsAid celebrates its 40th birthday, we look at how the charity has helped thousands of athletes fulfil their talent

8th April 2016

Rio beckons for young athletes trying to make their Olympic and Paralympic dreams a reality - but it has been a hard slog to even get to competitions and train with the right equipment. 

 And that is where SportsAid comes in.

The charity, which we fund, is currently supporting 1,200 young athletes by awarding them money to help fulfil their talent.

Many of these athletes have their eyes firmly fixed on Rio 2016 for what will be the biggest stage yet in their sporting careers. 

And they know SportsAid – which this week is celebrating its 40th birthday – has been crucial to giving them that helping hand

For SportsAid to come in and say ‘we see potential in you’ was a massive confidence boost

Serita Solomon

Hurdler

“The successes I am having now are largely to do with the support I had from SportsAid,” said hurdler Serita Solomon, who first received money from SportsAid in 2006 when she was 16 and is now targeting Rio

“For a long time, especially after my injuries, I really struggled with believing in myself and I knew a lot of people had written me off, so for SportsAid to come in and say ‘we see potential in you’ was a massive confidence boost

In London 2012, almost two-thirds of the British team were former or current recipients of SportsAid support.

They won 20 of the 29 gold medals won by the team at the Olympics, and 27 of the 34 won at the Paralympics. 

Para-archer Jess Stretton, 16, said two awards from SportsAid meant she could buy equipment.

She added: “They helped start my career and put me on the right path, as well as easing the financial struggle I would have had.”

young woman shooting bow and arrow in England kit

Former Olympic athletes including Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, plus current ones like Jessica Ennis-Hill, have been supported by SportsAid.

Ex-cyclist Victoria, a three-time Olympic medallist, said: "I was very lucky to receive SportsAid’s support myself back in the early days and for me, financially, it was a massive help.

"I actually didn’t believe it when the letter came through the post and someone was saying we’re going to support you to do your training, it meant so much to me and I’ll always be very grateful for what they’ve done.”

SportsAid patron the Duchess of Cambridge has praised the charity and wished it a happy 40th birthday.

"I have been fortunate enough to meet many current and former athletes who have benefitted from the charity’s support," she said.

"It is always incredibly clear how the help and recognition these athletes receive at such a crucial, formative stage of their sporting lives gives them that all important boost they need to fulfil their potential."

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