SportsAid sets up first ever Membership Club

Was your training ever supported by a grant from SportsAid or the Sports Aid Foundation? Did you know that SportsAid has given over £800,000 to sailing since 1975? Beneficiaries include the legends of sailing and members of Olympic crews through to youngsters striving to be the best they can be.

Well, if you did receive funding from SportsAid, then we want you to be a member of the SportsAid Alumni programme. For the first time ever, SportsAid has set up a membership to bring together sailors, rowers, swimmers, hockey players, athletes, cricketers and all those who have received a grant over the last 26 years.

Ben Ainslie has lent his support, together with Paula Radcliffe, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Sharron Davies, Graham Bell, Jane Sixsmith, Sally Gunnell Kate Howey and Matthew Pinsent to launch the scheme. Matthew comments on the Alumni programme.

“It takes hard work, dedication, talent and support to get to the top. SportsAid gave each of us the chance to fulfil our sporting ambitions. Now it’s our time to let others achieve theirs. Please join me in setting up a direct debit for life.”

SportsAid is creating a membership where its members will be kept up to date with information on the youngsters the charity continues to fund. In addition a ‘social’ club will be formed allowing all past grant recipients the chance to meet others with similar interests for fun or business opportunities. It has come to a time when we need additional funding to allow us to continue the work we do, and with the more and more charities making appeals, the competition out there is frightening. We need your help to survive and give others like you a chance.

All new members are listed on the SportsAid website (www.sportsaid.org.uk). SportsAid have approached many sports but will still continue to roll out other requests over the next few weeks and is organising its first social event for September 2003.

If SportsAid supported you and you have not received your letter from Ben, then please drop us an email at alumni@sportsaid.org.uk with your current details.