World number one Redditch athlete appeals for support - The Redditch Standard

World number one Redditch athlete appeals for support

Redditch Editorial 30th Oct, 2017   0

A DEDICATED Redditch para-sporting champion could see her dreams dashed if she cannot raise the funds she needs to travel to international competitions next year.

Leanna Horne, who is the current world’s number one Female F31 Club Throw athlete, has been selected as part of the team to compete in the 2018 World Games in Sant Cugat, Spain. However, to be in with a chance of winning, Leanna has to get there.

The 29-year-old, a former Arrowvale student, is looking to the community to help her continue her para-sport success, for which she needs to raise around £20,000.

For each competition she does, Leanna has to find the funds to cover entry fees, accommodation, food, capitation fee (the annual fee payable to the Local Organising Committee for each country she competes in) and travel costs, plus the accommodation, food and support of her “Field Assistant”, who is required to accompany her to every meet. As well as this, she also needs to pay for the services of a carer to assist her with all of her personal care needs.




“It’s really difficult to even be selected for these competitions – and the fact that there’s no funding available for amateur athletes makes it so frustrating,” said Leanna, who now lives near Rubery.

“I’m set to do the rounds on the UK and International circuits next season, determined to make 2018 my strongest season to date. But this will only be possible if I can find the funding.”


To make the progress she needs to in 2018, Leanna needs to raise enough funds to get her and her support team to both UK and International competitions.

“I can’t even think about not having the option of going. It’s crucial that we find the money, or I will have to pull out,” added the athlete.

“It doesn’t bear thinking about. To be selected for the team – to know that they have faith in my abilities as a medal contender, and then to not be able to go is unimaginable.

“If I’m to be in with a chance of winning when we get to Spain, I need to have had a strong run of international competitions and training – I can’t do any of that without sponsorship or public support.”

£2,525 would pay for Leanna and her support team to get to five UK competitions (there is usually around 10 per season) costing Leanna an average of £525 per competition to cover all of the required elements.

£3,400 would get her and her team to the 2018 IPC Grand Prix Competition in Nottwil, Switzerland.

Another £3,500 would get them to the 2018 IPC Grand Prix Competition in Berlin, Germany.

A further £4,000 would allow Leanna to pay all the necessary costs to get her to the CP-ISRA 2018 World Games in Sant Cugat, Spain, along with her support team.

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paraathleteleanna to support Leanne and businesses interested in sponsorship can contact her directly via email at [email protected]

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