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SportsAid Eastern enjoyed another outstanding event on Friday in St Albans, where a packed room of guests, sponsors and supporters came together to celebrate young sporting talent and hear from one of Britain’s most recognisable swimming figures.
A standout moment of the afternoon was hearing from our award recipient, Finn McFarlane, a talented 16-year-old high-board diver from Hitchin. Finn delivered his own introduction to the room – speaking with composure, clarity and confidence well beyond his years. His passion for his sport and dedication to his training shone through, and we could not have been prouder to see him take the stage. His impact on the room was clear and set a brilliant tone for the event.
Guests then enjoyed an inspiring talk from Mark Foster, five-time Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer and TV sports presenter. Mark shared stories from his competitive career, the unwavering discipline behind world-class performance, his time in Starkly Come Dancing and the role his own SportsAid grant played in supporting him as a young athlete. His humour, honesty and insights into elite sport were a real highlight for everyone in the room.
The atmosphere was fantastic, and the support from our community was on full display – including a hugely successful raffle and an exceptional gesture as our sponsors and Hosts Rayner Essex presented a £10,000 cheque to SportsAid. This generous contribution will make a meaningful difference to young athletes across the region.
A heartfelt thank you to Jenny and Antony from Rayner Essex, all our sponsors, table hosts and guests for their continued support. Your commitment enables athletes like Finn to access the coaching, competitions and opportunities they need to pursue their ambitions.
