Active Ashford Bursary - reopens now
It's time again and the Active
Ashford sports bursary for talented disabled sportspeople in
partnership with the Ashford Outlet Centre is being
launched and the closing date is 8 October.
Click on application form for
further details on how to apply and the terms and conditions.
The launch of the scheme was conducted at the
Outlet Centre with the support of the new patron Hilary Lister.
Latest news:
2012 hopefuls funding boost
Four Paralympic hopefuls from Ashford have
been given a funding boost through the Active Ashford Bursary.
Swimmer Nick Boylan, sitting volleyball
players Claire Harvey and Helen Sole and athlete Candy Hawkins have
all received financial assistance on travelling, training and
coaching expenses through the scheme, which aims to support local
disabled athletes achieve their sporting dreams.
All four sportspeople have represented Great Britain in recent
years, winning many awards and breaking World Records. It is hoped
that they will be chosen to represent their country in the London
2012 Paralympics.
The Active Ashford Bursary launched at the end of 2009 by
quadriplegic sailor Hilary Lister, with funding from the Ashford
Designer Outlet Centre and Ashford Borough Council’s Active Ashford
sports partnership.
Claire Harvey said: “This bursary has made such a difference to
my ability to maximise my training and take up opportunities to
compete and gain experience.
“Without the bursary, it is unlikely I would have been able to
afford to maintain travelling to the extra training sessions in
London. Succinctly, the bursary has taken the financial worry out
of chasing my Paralympics dream.”
Simon Harris, Sports Project Manager at
Ashford Borough Council, said: “We are very proud to support
sportspeople from the Ashford area in any way we can, and giving
financial help will, hopefully, move them one step closer to
fulfilling their dreams of competing in London in 2012”.
The bursary is only scheme of its kind in the
Kent, and it is hoped it will inspire other organisations to back
its Paralympic sportspeople.
Active Ashford key priorities are working with
people with disabilities and this scheme will try and assist elite
athletes.
Graham Galpin of Active Ashford said: “As Chair of Active
Ashford I am delighted that such an important business partner as
the Outlet Centre has provided this much needed assistance, the
Active Ashford Disability Bursary to disabled sportspeople
I am grateful to Hilary Lister for taking
on the role of Patron, her amazing achievements should act as an
example to disabled sportspeople to utilise the bursary so that
they can achieve their sporting goals”