A total of £46,617 was raised on 5 March at our eighth Wiltshire Business and Sports Gala Dinner, as local businesses and organisations helped to support the next generation of the county's sports stars.
The event was again held to raise money for local Olympians and Paralympians through the Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians foundation fund, which provides financial grants to local elite athletes. Successful applicants receive funding to assist with training, attending competitions, as well as paying for equipment and transport costs to regional, national and international events.
The event, which took place at County Hall, Trowbridge was made possible due to many businesses sponsoring and supporting the dinner. The main sponsors were CGI, Landmarc and MIPermit.
The fund was boosted by a one-off experiences auction and an elite raffle, while legend of Great British athletics Colin Jackson CBE was the guest speaker, offering inspirational words for Wiltshire's sports stars and all the attendees.
This year's grant recipients, each receiving £1,000, were:
- Dan Bethell para badminton
- Amelia Bissett -tennis
- Lauren Booth para cycling
- Hannah Brown sprint canoe
- Jessica Daykin gymnastics
- Tom Gale athletics
- Fenella Langridge triathlon
- Lucy-Jane Matthews athletics
- Stephanie Millward MBE para swimming
- Emily Rowlands hockey
- Sarah Wilson modern pentathlon
Conservative Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Conservative led Wiltshire Council said: "Special nights like this ensure our local athletes feel supported by the whole of the county and it inspires them to reach for the highest accolades in their chosen sport.
"We are proud to host this unique event and I have to thank the businesses, all our sponsors and everyone that attended for their support and the huge amount raised."
The other sponsors for the event were SNC-Lavalin, Atkins, Cumberwell Park, Knorr Bremse, Pharmaxo, Axis Signs Ltd, Places Leisure, Rigg Construction, Ringway, Xn Leisure, KBR Aspire Defence, Lovell.
