George Durden receiving his cheque for £2000 from Richard Brown of the Joanna Brown Trust
A rising star canoeist is one oars length closer to his Olympic dream, after landing SportIslington’s largest grant.
George Durden, from EC1, has bagged £2,000 to help cover the cost of training and competing in the sport of canoe slalom.
The money comes jointly from SportIslington – a voluntary organisation funded by Islington Council and the Joanna Brown Trust – a registered charity set up in memory of a sports enthusiast from Highbury who tragically died two years ago.
After receiving the grant, seventeen-year-old George said: “this grant has opened doors which otherwise would have been impossible to open, London 2012 is a possibility, however my true sights are set on 2016 when I will be at my peak level”
George Durden and Aasha Kimpton with Richard Brown of the Joanna Brown Trust
Richard Brown of the Joanna Brown Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our support of young athletes in the local area. The aim of The Joanna Brown Trust is to encourage involvement in sport, to provide people with an opportunity to experience and excel in sport. Jo lived in Islington and always strived to be the best she possibly could and it give us great satisfaction that we can continue to support talented young athletes in her name and give them the support they need to succeed.”
Declan Hamblin, Chairman of SportIslington, said “Combining forces with the Joanna Brown Trust enables both organisations to foster and develop a young talent for a whole year – it’s a great partnership that really helps an Islington resident reach their potential”
The Joanna Brown Trust have also demonstrated their commitment to youth sport in Islington by continuing to support Aasha Kimpton after she received the same award last year. The trust were so impressed with Aasha’s commitment and potential over the last 12 months, that they have decided to offer her continued financial support.
The Boston & Nailour Tenants & Residents Association (TRA), have been supported for the last five years by Sport Islington, to run a weekly line dancing session on a Tuesday evening. The sessions regularly attract up 30 attendees to a community hall on Blundell Street N7. For the majority of the ladies who attend each week, it is the only form of rigorous exercise that they undertake on a regular basis. The line dancing sessions are not just a physical activity for the women who attend, they are a chance to meet other local people in a relaxed and inclusive setting. For some of the attendees, the Tuesday night sessions are the only time they will leave their homes after dark in the winter. Viv White of Boston & Nailour TRA, explained why the sessions were so important, not just for the health benefits but also for the social benefits to the participants; ‘Dancing is a happy physical sport and the health benefits are tremendous. While we are at the sessions, we do not worry about the stresses of life, for many of our members the sessions have been a life-saver. Not only do they feel healthier but they have socialised with people from all walks of life’. The line dancing sessions are an example of the sort of activity that Sport Islington is willing to fund. The participants are considered ‘non-traditional participants’ or a ‘hard to reach group’, the sessions are continuous and are in an accessible venue (near to the resident’s homes and accessible to people with disabilities), the organisation applying for funding (the TRA) are constituted with a managing committee and independent bank account.
