GO4KIDS Press Release Previous Event Completed 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday July 24th 2009
OLYMPIANS LEAP INTO ACTION FOR ‘GO4KIDS2012’ FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Olympic and World 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu joined fellow Olympians at the London Coaching Foundation’s launch event to kick-start their £1m GO4KIDS2012 fundraising campaign.
Ohuruogu, MBE, who works tirelessly to encourage the sport’s grassroots take-up, was officially announced as campaign ambassador of the GO4KIDS2012 campaign at its launch event held last week at Electric Birdcage in London’s West End.
The Stratford-born track star declared: “I personally know that without the support of volunteers, great coaches, access to top facilities, competitive and learning events and constant encouragement from family and friends, I would not be Olympic and World Champion.”
She added: “GO4KIDS is not simply about unearthing the next athletic superstar, it is about reaching children and young people disadvantaged by circumstances. If you offer children and young people a ladder on which they can climb, you are offering them options that can change their lives.”
Olympic 400m Hurdles bronze medalist Tasha Danvers, echoed Ohuruogu’s words, saying: “With London 2012, the time is right to connect and inspire community engagement, empowering young people to develop their knowledge, skills and values, to widen their experiences and help them discover their potential.”
Ohuruogu supported by an impressive line-up of Olympians, elite athletes as well as guests from the sporting, fashion, media and business world, who are keen to support the Foundation’s mission to ensure a sporting legacy for young people after London 2012.
The involvement of Ohuruogu and her fellow Team GB Olympians in GO4KIDS 2012, confirms their commitment to developing the next generation of British athletics. The credibility of the Foundation’s outreach work has been made possible by the motivation and commitment of many of Britain’s international athletes and coaches.
The London Coaching Foundation (LCF), a not-for-profit charitable trust, was set up eighteen years ago to deliver grassroots athletics programmes in the capital, sending elite coaches and international athletes into schools and colleges.
The GO4KIDS2012 pre-launch campaign, will also complement the Foundation’s hugely successful ‘Have a Go Day’ and London Community Athletics Days, which have involved youngsters from schools and communities across London
These programmes are essential strands in the Foundation’s mission to bring athletics, education and excellence to London’s young people.
The funds raised will not only deliver valuable opportunities to promising young athletes, but will also develop and mentor up to ten thousand disadvantaged youngsters of various sporting abilities.
John Herbert, CEO of London Coaching Foundation, four-time Olympian and Team GB coach said: ‘This event proves you can start something with nothing. We hope people look at us as social entrepreneurs and mentors. The GO4KIDS2012 campaign will give inspiration to London’s disadvantaged young kids and our as yet undiscovered young sporting talent leading into 2012.’
Herbert added: ‘This event is also a reminder that these former and current Olympic athletes and coaches take their work with the Foundation’s programmes very seriously and without their volunteering support we would not have kick-started the sporting lives of many young people.’
For further information contact: Lucy Merone Foundation PR: 07830 919166 lmerone@londoncoaching.org
Notes to Editors:
1.The GO4KIDS 2012 fundraising campaign was kick-started at a launch party held on Friday, July 17, 2009 at 6pm (club party from 8pm) at The Electric Birdcage, Haymarket, London.
2. Christine Ohuruogu MBE was announced as Ambassador for the GO4KIDS 2012 fundraising campaign.
3. John Herbert, is a four time Olympian and has coached Olympic athletes, including Phillips Idowu and Jade Johnson.
4. GO4KIDS 2012 campaign fundraising events will include a series of ‘GO4K with an Olympian’ Family, Friends and Schools London Fun Runs.
5. Olympic athletes supporting the campaign:
Gold Medallist Christine Ohuruogu MBE - 400m, Beijing 2008
Silver Medalist Phillips Idowu- Triple Jump Beijing 2008, Commonwealth and World Indoor Champion
Bronze Medallist Tasha Danvers - 400m Hurdles Beijing 2008
Jade Johnson - Long Jump, Athens 2004 Beijing 2008
Victoria Barr - 400m Beijing 2008
Donna Fraser - 400m, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 Athens 2004, Beijing 2008,
Dwain Chambers -100m, Sydney 2000
Chris Tomlinson - Long Jump, Beijing 2008, and Athens 2004
Greg Rutherford - Long Jump, Beijing 2008,
Andy Turner-110m hurdles, Beijing 2008.
Daniel Awde - Decathlon, Beijing 2008
Tyrone Edgar- 100m, Beijing 2008
Jeanette Kwakye 100m, Beijing 2008
4. Also Going4Kids on Friday 17th July were past Olympians, elite athletes and coaches such as: Colin Jackson CBE, Rachel Christie Miss England, Fatima Whitbread MBE, Michael McFarlane OBE, Anthony Jarrett & Lloyd Cowan. Athletes: UK 100m Champion- Simeon Williamson, Trecia Smith, Larry Achike & Ricky Fifton 200m amongst others
5. The LCF relies on a volunteer network of current and former Olympian, elite athletes and coaches, including Fatima Whitbread MBE, Michael McFarlane OBE, Anthony Jarrett, Phillips Idowu, Trisha Smith, Lloyd Cowan and Larry Achike.
6. LCF trustees include Kate Hoey MP and 2012 advisor to London Mayor Boris Johnson as well as Sir Eddie Kulukundis OBE.
For further Editorial on GO4KIDS campaign fundraising and celebrity events
For Interviews and photos with Christine Ohuruogu MBE and Olympians and celebrities supporting the campaign
To hold an exclusive GO4KIDS Fundraising Event or be a Campaign Partner
Contact: Lucy Merone, Foundation PR. mob: 07830 919166 or lmerone@londoncoaching.org
www.londoncoaching.org
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Our Partners
The LCF is currently working with a number of partners and sponsors who are making our work across London possible.
The LCF is proud that London will be hosting the Olympic Games in 2012 because it will be a chance for this great city to show the world the very best that it has to offer in athletics and other Olympic and Paralympic sports. It is because of our Partners and Sponsors that we are able to help identify new talent in the run up towards the Olympic Games. However, as importantly, the LCF wants everyone to enjoy the Olympic Spirit whatever their ability or ambitions.
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Thank you to the following organisations who are helping us towards these goals:
