Wiltshire businesses raise £100,000 for the county's sports stars at tenth annual Wiltshire Business and Sports Gala Dinner

Businesses and organisations from around the county raised £100,000 last night (Thursday 21 March) to help local sports stars at the tenth Wiltshire Council Wiltshire Business and Sports Gala Dinner.

The event, which celebrates the county's finest sporting talents, was made possible thanks to Gold sponsors MiPermit, Landmarc and Kier, and many other businesses sponsoring and supporting the event.

Thanks to additional contributions from both MiPermit and Kier on the evening the incredible £100,000 milestone was reached to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the event.

The evening raises money for local aspiring Olympians and Paralympians through the Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians Foundation, which provides financial grants to local elite athletes. It has been held every year since 2014, except for a break in 2021 for the pandemic, and this special tenth-anniversary event was once again compered by former Bath and England rugby star Phil de Glanville, while the guest speaker was iconic British Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave CBE.

This year's grant recipients, each receiving £1,000, are:

• Ashlyn Bland, from Melksham, skeleton
• Carys Johnson, from Malmesbury, lacrosse
• Dan Bethell, from Chippenham, para badminton
• Dorian Williams, from Trowbridge, para swimming
• James Hulme, from Sherston, modern pentathlon
• Kate French MBE, from Westbury, modern pentathlon
• Katie Pocklington, from Semington, wild water kayak
• Morgan Fice-Noyes, from Melksham, para rowing
• Philippe Ehrnrooth, from Devizes, flat water kayak
• Piers Gilliver MBE, from Trowbridge, wheelchair fencing
• Rue Fowler, from Trowbridge, swimming
• Stephanie Clutterbuck, from Chippenham, triathlon
• Susie Cheetham, from Bradford on Avon, triathlon
• Tom Gale, from Trowbridge, high jump

Successful applicants receive funding to help them with training and attending competitions, as well as paying for equipment and transport costs to regional, national and international events.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: "This year's Wiltshire Business and Sports Gala Dinner has been a real celebration of ten years of supporting Wiltshire athletes to achieve their goals, with a record 14 remarkable athletes receiving a grant this year.

"Their stories of sporting triumphs are truly inspiring, and with the backing of our Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians Foundation, their journey to success will continue.

"This wonderful event is only made possible through the unwavering support of our business community, and we thank all our sponsors, particularly the Gold sponsors MiPermit, Landmarc, and Kier.

"Thank you to everyone involved in another successful event and for raising such an impressive amount."

The other sponsors for the event were:

• Silver sponsors: AtkinsRéalis, Bechtle UK, Cumberwell Park, FCC Environment, Knorr-Bremse.
• Bronze sponsors: Beard Construction, CFH, MJ Church, Pharmaxo, XN Leisure, Rundles & Co Ltd, Jacobs.