insideKENT Magazine Issue 55 - October 2016 | Page 148
CHARITY
Kent Sports Trust
On the back of the Olympics and Paralympics, a new Kentbased sports charity is urging everyone to get active and
have sport change their lives.
Kent Sports Trust and the KST Foundation were
both launched in 2016 with a simple mission: to
help inspire as many people, young and old, to
find a sport they love and to be more active.
With a stellar line-up of ambassadors on board,
including the likes of Lizzy Yarnold MBE, Dina
Asher-Smith, and Geraint Jones MBE, Kent
Sports Trust has already been into a number of
Kent schools as it looks to inspire the next
generation.
The backing of Dame Kelly Holmes and Sports
Minister Tracey Crouch MP has helped raise the
profile of Kent Sports Trust and CEO Steve Wolfe
is keen to harness their passion for sport and
provide a lasting legacy: "Off the back of the
London Olympics in 2012, all I heard was the
word 'legacy' and I felt we didn't quite make the
most of a massive uptake in all sports.
"That's why we launched Kent Sports Trust and
the KST Foundation – to see if we can get sport
to change people's lives.
"Without a doubt, sport has changed my life. I
see it like throwing a pebble into a pond, as there
has been a ripple effect with friends and family
now joining me running throughout the week."
Success in Rio has undoubtedly resulted in a
surge of interest across all sports in the county
with some clubs seeing record numbers wishing
to join.
a much better role model to my 7-year-old
daughter.
With Orpington's Dina Asher-Smith securing
bronze in the women's 4x100 metre relay and
stars from Canterbury and Holcombe Hockey
Clubs winning gold after an epic final, the Team
GB stars are already proving to be an inspiration
locally. Steve Wolfe and his team are keen to
provide that long-lasting legacy:
"She is the reason my fantastic team and I do
what we do. I'm passionate about providing
opportunities for everyone in Kent, both young
and old, and we will be putting on a series of
sporting events and challenges in which anyone
can take part that will raise funds but also get
the community active."
"It's important we make the most of this Olympic
success, though we also need to highlight all of
the sports our ambassadors do, not just the ones
that returned from Rio with medals.
Kent Sports Trust will be hosting a gala dinner
with their ambassadors in attendance at the
QHotels Ashford International on Saturday 29th
October with tickets costing just £50pp.
"The likes of Jack Green, Kat Driscoll, and Ashley
Jackson are great role models and they send out
a powerful message that it's all about doing your
best and enjoying sport.
For more details and to secure your places, visit
www.kentsportstrust.org.
"For me, the positives of sport by far outweigh
the negatives. A few years ago, I'd just turned
40 and was fairly inactive. Through going to my
local parkrun in Kent, though, I've increased my
fitness, improved my confidence, and met some
wonderful people.
"Sport really has changed my life – so much so,
in fact, that I've run three marathons in the space
of a year, which is something I never thought
would be possible. Most importantly, I've been
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Every pound raised by Kent Sports Trust and the
KST Foundation is re-invested in Kent, so contact
them at [email protected] to see how
you can get involved or to make a donation.