SportsAid

Eversheds

Young athletes get kick started with Eversheds and SportsAid

City law firm Eversheds launched a long term package to support some of the nation's brightest young sports talent. In conjunction with SportsAid, the firm has committed to support twelve athletes across the UK to help them progress over the next three years. Eversheds will be committing up to £45,000 to the programme.

The firm's funding is being provided through SportsAid, the charity for sports people, which has helped the careers of British athletes for 30 years. Their alumni include Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes, Lord Coe and Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson. At the 2004 Athens Olympiad, 15 of the 17 British gold medallists had received support from SportsAid. We hope to see this latest crop of youngsters fulfil their potential and become the next generation of sporting champions.

James Hickman, five time world 200m butterfly champion and a SportsAid alumnus, attended a presentation ceremony at Eversheds' office in London at which some of the twelve athletes received the first instalment of their funding. Both disabled and able-bodied athletes make up the group, who excel in sports ranging from skiing, waterpolo and lawn tennis through to the heptathlon.

James Hickman added:

"SportsAid is a lifeline of funding for everyday expenses and those costly competitions. Its support was crucial to my own success and it is vital that organizations such as Eversheds commit to supporting our current young sportsmen and women to fulfill their ambitions."

Tim Lawler, Chief Executive of SportsAid, commented:

"Teaming up with the City business community means we can channel significant funds through to the emerging talent in the country - something which is essential for the continued success of British sport. There is no question that the focus is now on the London Games and it is a big target for many young athletes. Donations like this will allow them to work towards that with confidence."

Speaking on the day, Cornelius Medvei, Managing Partner of Eversheds' City office, said:

"We're hoping that we can help some of the nation's brightest prospects at one of the most vital times of their careers. Support at this early stage can often mean the difference between athletes persevering or dropping out of their chosen sport."

"SportsAid is a charity with a proven record in ensuring funding gets to the right athletes. By funding these young hopefuls through SportsAid, Eversheds is playing its part in securing the future of British athletics for 2012 and beyond."

For further information please contact:

Gavin Collins / Vanessa Rhodes

Republic

T: 020 7379 5000

F: 020 7379 5111

E: gavin@republicpr.com

Notes to editors

Eversheds LLP and its worldwide associate offices have over 2,000 legal and business advisers providing services to the private and public sector business and finance community. Access to all these services is provided through our network of international offices. Eversheds combines local market knowledge and access with the specialisms, resources and international capability of one of the world's largest law firms.

• SportsAid is a registered charity, number 1111612.
• SportsAid has been helping talented young British sportsmen and women since 1976 and in that time has distributed just under £20 million.
• Typical grants of £500 are available to individual athletes to help with costs such as travel, training, accommodation and equipment.
• SportsAid focuses predominantly on the 12-16 year old group, who rarely are able to benefit directly from Lottery funding.
• The young sports people are identified and nominated to SportsAid by their National Governing Body of sport; SportsAid would fund in the region of 1,500 such youngsters each year.
• SportsAid is currently at the heart of the Government-backed Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), distributing the funding for TASS athletes on behalf of scheme.