Receiving my Sporting Dreams grant and coming to that first awards ceremony was incredibly exciting. The grant itself was wonderful, as we knew it would really help me to achieve my goals, but going to the ceremony and meeting Marayke, who is such an inspiring role model, and other fantastic athletes who were doing so well in their respective sports, was a great learning experience.
The grant allowed me to buy a new pair of racing shoes, as I was transitioning into sprints at the time, and also helped with my competition costs.
I think Sporting Dreams is so important because the financial costs of sport can be very high, and that can sometimes mean that hardworking, talented sportspeople can’t compete as much as they would like. The Sporting Dreams grants help make it possible for more athletes to achieve their sporting goals, and also brings together athletes so that they can learn from each other, and realize they’re not alone in their journey.
I received my first grant in 2008. Since then, I competed in the IPC Athletics World Championships in 2011, where I won silver in the T35 100m, and gold in the T35 200m. I also competed in the 2012 London Paralympic Games, where I finished 5th in the T35 100m with a personal best, and 7th in the T35 200m. I’m hoping to compete in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. What Sporting Dreams has achieved in helping atheltes is fantastic.
I would just like to thank Marayke for starting this fantastic organisation – you are an inspiration Marayke, and what Sporting Dreams has achieved in helping athletes is fantastic.
Rachael Dodds-athletics
