Stars Turn Out To Launch Activate Sports Foundation

Stars Turn Out To Launch Activate Sports Foundation

Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick were present at the launch

©Activate Sport Foundation launch at The Co-operative Be Inspired Dinner

Legends from the sporting world and other high profile celebrities turned out last night to lend their support to the launch of the Activate Sport Foundation at the inaugural Co-operative Be Inspired Dinner.

Activate Sport is the leading provider of sports camps to children across the UK, including the specialist Academies of Andrew Flintoff, Matt Dawson and Lee Westwood.  The Foundation has been established to give sporting opportunities to under-privileged children in communities nationwide and encourage children to lead an active and healthy lifestyle through sport.  The event raised thousands of pounds for the Foundation, which will see children directly benefit and enjoy access to these sporting stars and camps.

Those who attended The Co-operative Be Inspired Dinner at London’s exclusive Banqueting House, hosted by SKY Sports presenters Charlotte Jackson and Ed Chamberlin, included cricket heroes Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick, Denise Lewis, Virginia Wade, Annabel Croft, Ben Ainslie and ex England manager Graham Taylor.  Other well-known faces in attendance were model Danielle Lloyd with partner Jamie O’Hara, Ricky Wilson from the Kaiser Chiefs and Marcus Patrick from 7 Degrees North.

Guests were entertained throughout the evening by inspirational young dance talent Akai, singer/songwriter Ed Harcourt, and auctioneer Charlie Ross. 

Andrew Flintoff, who set up the Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy with Activate Sport two years ago and is also a Patron of the Foundation, will see many children get the opportunity to experience his Academy through the Activate Sport Foundation.  “The Foundation is a great initiative by Activate Sport, and I’m pleased that my Academy is giving many more children the chance to play cricket. Passing on experience and knowledge to youngsters across the country is something that I feel very strongly about.”

Luke Sutton, Director of Activate Sport, said, “We have always wanted to establish a Foundation that creates opportunities for children who wouldn’t usually be able to benefit from or be able to afford these experiences. In 2010, over 10,000 children attended an Activate Sport course and in 2011 this may rise to as high as 25,000. Activate Sport’s mission is to inspire an active lifestyle for children, and it’s been a passion of ours from the very beginning to reach as many children as possible. I hope that the establishment of the Foundation and the fantastic support we receive from these sports stars and our sponsors will bring about many more chances for children.”

Liz Matkin, The Co-operative’s Head of Sponsorship, said, “The Co-operative has partnered with Activate Sport for two years and during this time has given away thousands of places to the camps to children in communities across the UK.  We share Activate Sport’s commitment and passion to inspire young people to be active and play sport. The Foundation, which has been established to provide less privileged children with sporting opportunities, is aligned with our commitment to opening up ways for young people to change their world for the better.” 

“We will be working closely with Activate Sport to determine who will benefit from these opportunities and we’re looking forward to supporting the Foundation in the future and enriching the lives of many more children,” said Matkin.

For further information go to www.activatesport.co.uk/foundation