Meet Our Newest Champions

The Funding Team was delighted to award some fantastic young people this March. Our new Edward Starr Champions are Brittney (15), Nathan (11) and Kayleigh (15) and we are also very happy to be funding for a second year our young champions Samantha (17) and Jessie-Jae (12).

Brittney

Brittney (15) received an Award to help her pursue her love of the performing arts at the fantastic local theatre school K-BIS. Brittney says, “When I found out that the Starr Trust was offering me this chance I was so happy, as I never thought I would get a chance like this in a million years and now I can barely believe it is happening”.

Nathan

Nathan (11) from Worthing was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when he was 15 months old. He has always loved sport and over the years has tried a number of mainstream and disability sports but since borrowing a racing wheelchair he has shown dedication and determination and wants to represent team GB in the Paralympics 2020! He is now competing in at least one athletic event every month and we will be providing him with his own custom made wheelchair. Nathan says: “this means everything to me…by getting a custom made chair I can improve my technique and performance and be a better racer. For me wheelchair racing is like running and makes me feel so free!”

Kayleigh

Kayleigh (15) from Lancing is an amazing kayaker, she has won or was placed at all of the competitions she has entered and was selected to be part of the GB talent programme based at Lee Valley and Shepperton, training three times a week in London as well as land training and flat water training at Shoreham. At the end of this season Kayleigh finished 14th in the country in her division and is the highest ranking short season paddler. Her aim is to represent her country and ultimately compete at the Olympics and we are helping her to buy a new boat for her training. Kayleigh’s mum says “this award is such wonderful news it’s going to make a massive difference and help Kayleigh in chasing her dream”.

Samantha

Samantha (17) from Hove is an extremely talented and dedicated classical dancer who started training at 4 years old. She has performed on stage in the West End, on television and at theatres all over the country. She was offered a funded place at Tring Dance School and we will for a second year running be supporting her so that she is able to continue there.

Jessie-Jae

Jessie-Jae (12) from Brighton is passionate about the performing arts and for a second year running we are delighted to be funding her to continue her classes at K-BIS Theatre School. Jessie says “Just knowing the Starr Trust believes in me enough to help me live the dream for another year makes me so very proud. Having being given the chance to be an Edward Starr Champion for a second year I promise to put in 110% 7 days a week and make you all proud of me. I have had the best year and being a champion really does feel like being part of a big happy family.”

Update on our Champions

Joe

Joe (14) from Hove is a dedicated and talented dancer who has been doing street dance with Brighton’s Streetfunk for 5 years. In 2012, he became a member of their U14 competition crew, Stereoshok. Joe’s Edward Starr Award helped Joe to compete at the highest level and represent Brighton and Hove in competitions across Europe and take part in the World Championships in Germany. Joe has just returned from the XM British Dance championships in Lincoln where he won the U14 Intermediate Solos category and his crew, Stereoshok came 2nd.

Joseph

Joseph (14) from Sompting is taking GCSE Art, Design and Photography and his school arranged a trip to Florence as part of the curriculum for 2015. Joseph’s Award paid for this trip and Joseph went to Italy earlier this year. He says “Thank you so much for sponsoring this trip for me - it really helped out mum and I would have been really upset if I couldn’t have gone. Art and Design is really important to me and obviously my grades at GCSE rely on the experience and places I saw in Florence. It was a trip I will never forget. Thank you”