Tanni Grey-thompson Joins Sportsaid
SportsAid has announced that Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE has become the ninth member of its board of trustees.
SportsAid is a national charity, established in 1976, that helps young British sportsmen and women who aspire to be the next Olympic, Paralympic or world champions.At London 2012 almost two-thirds of the British team were former recipients of SportsAid’s support, winning 20 of Team GB’s 29 gold medals and 27 of ParalympicsGB’s 34 gold medals.
Tanni Grey-Thompson was herself a recipient of SportsAid’s support and went on to become one of the most successful British athletes of all-time, Before retiring from competitive sport in 2007, the Baroness had broken 30 world records, become the first woman in history to go under one minute in the 400m and was the first British woman to complete a marathon in under two hours.Now serving as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, in recent years the Baroness has been awarded the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year Award, received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award, awarded the SportsAid Legend Award, and made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Welcoming the news, SportsAid’s Chairman Chris Baillieu MBE said: ‘It is a very exciting time for SportsAid. Following on from London 2012, with our new Royal Patron joining us this year and looking ahead to Glasgow 2014 and the Rio Games in 2016 – which will be SportsAid’s 40th anniversary year – Tanni’s contribution will be invaluable.’
Baillieu added: ‘She is very knowledgeable, hugely well-respected and a true hero of British sport. We are delighted to welcome her onto SportsAid’s board.’
Tanni Grey-Thompson said: ‘I was 18 years old when I received my first SportsAid Award and it was the first time that anyone other than my parents had offered me any kind of support,” said the Baroness. To be able to use this experience now to help a new generation of ambitious young athletes is a huge privilege. It’s exciting to be part of SportsAid again and I look forward to working with the charity on its plans for the future.’
