Latest news with #FatimaWhitbread
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fatima Whitbread and mother get freedom of borough
Javelin world champion Fatima Whitbread said it was the "highest honour" to receive a freedom of the borough award. She and her mother Margaret Whitbread, who was also her coach, have been recognised by Thurrock Council in Essex for their contributions to sport and community, and for advocating for children in care. Fatima was abandoned by her biological mother as a baby and spent much of her early life in care before being fostered by Margaret, who was then a Great Britain team javelin coach. Posting on Instagram, the world record holder and two-time Olympic medallist described the award as "one of the proudest moments" of her life. "My incredible mum, Maggie Whitbread, and I have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Thurrock," she continued. "She took me in at 16, changed my life and helped me reach the world stage. This honour is hers. My hero, always." The pair were presented with their awards by the town's mayor and council leader. Mayor Sue Shinnick said: "It is a real honour to present these awards to two of the borough's sporting and Olympic heroes. "It honours not only their incredible athletic achievements but also the community work they have done promoting sport and advocating for children in care." Leader Lynn Worrall added: "It is especially poignant for me because Margaret was my PE teacher at school. "I might not have reached the heights of international athletic achievement that Fatima has but I have happy and exhausting memories of school sports thanks to Margaret." Freedom of the Borough is the highest award Thurrock Council can give. The road to success for Fatima Whitbread has not been easy. Abandoned by her parents as a baby, she spent her childhood in a children's home, suffering abuse during time spent with her biological mother during school holidays. Sport was her "saviour" and it was at Blackshots Athletics Stadium in Grays, Essex where she first picked up a javelin and met her coach and later her foster mother, Margaret Whitbread. The former Great Britain thrower, who competed at the Commonwealth Games, taught the 13-year-old all she needed to know about the sport. Fatima Whitbread's achievements 1982 Commonwealth Games - Bronze medal 1983 World Championships - Silver medal 1984 Summer Olympics - Bronze medal 1986 Commonwealth Games - Silver medal 1986 European Athletics Championships in Stuttgart - Breaks world record with a throw of 77.4m (254ft) during qualifying round 1987 World Championships - Gold medal 1988 Summer Olympics - Silver medal In 1987 the javelin champion was awarded MBE for services to athletics and in that same year was made BBC Sports Personality of the Year. She officially retired from competition in 1992 due to a long-term shoulder injury and received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award in 2023. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story 'Her will to succeed was born from her will to survive' Former Olympian's message of hope to young people BBC 2: Pilgrimage - Fatima Whitbread Related internet links Thurrock Council
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Fatima Whitbread and mother given freedom of borough in Thurrock
Javelin world champion Fatima Whitbread said it was the "highest honour" to receive a freedom of the borough and her mother Margaret Whitbread, who was also her coach, have been recognised by Thurrock Council in Essex for their contributions to sport and community, and for advocating for children in was abandoned by her biological mother as a baby and spent much of her early life in care before being fostered by Margaret, who was then a Great Britain team javelin coach. Posting on Instagram, the world record holder and two-time Olympic medallist described the award as "one of the proudest moments" of her life. "My incredible mum, Maggie Whitbread, and I have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Thurrock," she continued."She took me in at 16, changed my life and helped me reach the world stage. This honour is hers. My hero, always." The pair were presented with their awards by the town's mayor and council leader. Mayor Sue Shinnick said: "It is a real honour to present these awards to two of the borough's sporting and Olympic heroes."It honours not only their incredible athletic achievements but also the community work they have done promoting sport and advocating for children in care."Leader Lynn Worrall added: "It is especially poignant for me because Margaret was my PE teacher at school."I might not have reached the heights of international athletic achievement that Fatima has but I have happy and exhausting memories of school sports thanks to Margaret."Freedom of the Borough is the highest award Thurrock Council can give. The road to success for Fatima Whitbread has not been by her parents as a baby, she spent her childhood in a children's home, suffering abuse during time spent with her biological mother during school was her "saviour" and it was at Blackshots Athletics Stadium in Grays, Essex where she first picked up a javelin and met her coach and later her foster mother, Margaret former Great Britain thrower, who competed at the Commonwealth Games, taught the 13-year-old all she needed to know about the sport. Fatima Whitbread's achievements 1982 Commonwealth Games - Bronze medal1983 World Championships - Silver medal 1984 Summer Olympics - Bronze medal 1986 Commonwealth Games - Silver medal1986 European Athletics Championships in Stuttgart - Breaks world record with a throw of 77.4m (254ft) during qualifying round1987 World Championships - Gold medal 1988 Summer Olympics - Silver medal In 1987 the javelin champion was awarded MBE for services to athletics and in that same year was made BBC Sports Personality of the officially retired from competition in 1992 due to a long-term shoulder injury and received the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award in 2023. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Former Olympian Fatima Whitbread's message to young people
"Don't let your start define your end" was former Olympian Fatima Whitbread's message to young people at an art display for those receiving mental health support. The javelin thrower attended the launch of an exhibition at the Horton Centre in Epsom put on by Mindworks, which provides specialist support in event showcases art work by young people who have suffered trauma or been through the care system, as well as their parents and who grew up in care having been abandoned as a baby, said it was "wonderful" to see the work created by the young people. She said finding something you loved was really important, and that sport had been her "saviour" as an 11-year-old when she watched Mary Peters win the women's pentathlon in the 1972 Olympics."Giving a young person hope is really important because it's that that keeps them focused in what they want to do," she added that finding a passion could give young people a sense of belonging, the opportunity to share what they loved to do and taught them life skills."They can engage with people in the community, can share with likeminded people, they can have good role models that can help them when they start to flourish and grow," she told BBC Radio Surrey."Don't let your start define your end, it doesn't have to."At the end of the day it's all about the journey of learning, and experience of self growth, learning what you can do and what your limitations are." Sara May, 18, performed her own songs at the launch event, which she described as "really welcoming"."Everyone listening and telling me their experiences really helped me to understand how they took my music and how it made them feel," she exhibition, now in its third year, is being held until 11 July in what was the chapel at Epsom's "cluster" of five psychiatric hospitals. Art therapist Rebecca Robertson said art gave young people a different medium that was "slightly less directive" than having to talk face-to-face about trauma."It's very rare as a child or young person that you get the opportunity to exhibit in a public space, such a beautiful space, and to get them to express their thoughts and feelings on paper," she said."It's wonderful and it's so moving."Whitbread founded Fatima's UK Campaign to call for improvements to the care system and ensure children in care are "seen, heard and valued"."Every child deserves the right to a safe and happy childhood," she added.
South Wales Argus
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
James D'Arcy reveals pleasure at supporting tennis awards
D'Arcy, 49, was one of several high-profile guests, including two-time Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread and former Lioness Lianne Sanderson, who attended this year's edition of the Tennis Black List, presented in association with Dante Talent and held during the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London on the 11th of June, supported by the LTA. D'Arcy, who holds credits in a blockbuster such as Oppenheimer, Avengers: Endgame and Dunkirk and is a keen tennis enthusiast in his own right, was grateful for the opportunity to attend and lend his voice to support and champion black and mixed black excellence in a sport so close to his own heart. 'It's wonderful isn't it?,' said D'Arcy. 'I know some of the people who work at Dante, so that's how I first became aware of it and very happy to be here and helping them celebrate the evening. It has been such a huge success. 'I started watching tennis when I was pretty young and it was the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 that got me into it. 'I was always a massive John McEnroe fan because he threw tantrums and I was about the sort of right age for tantrums so although I couldn't match him on the tennis court, I could definitely throw a good tantrum!. 'The Icon award went to Arthur Ashe, who was in a field of one as a black man playing elite tennis at the level he did. 'Now here we are where someone like him is highlighted at these awards. It's great to feel real change coming. 'As with any sport, you would want for something like this to be available to everybody and that just hasn't been the case up until now. It has been kind of elitist and hopefully that's starting to change now. 'It just feels that that's the way the world should be.' Tennis Black List is the global celebration of Black and mixed black excellence across the game — spotlighting the unsung, the visionary and the next generation of changemakers. D'Arcy added: 'Events like this evening are so wonderful and joyful and they're doing such great work that it seems very clear that that's the sort of thing I would like to be involved with. 'I can get behind pretty much any player if they play well but in order to play well, particularly at tennis, you need to have access to money. It's as simple as that. A career in tennis is not something that's just going to happen. Some people are naturally gifted, but it has to be crafted so it's great that we have award ceremonies like this now. 'The people here being honoured must point in the direction of the fact that some of the money is getting to a more diverse group of people and that is wonderful to see.' Founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said: 'This movement is about legacy. Tennis Black List is creating space for Black and mixed-black heritage excellence to be seen, honoured and remembered across all areas of tennis. We are building a global legacy that makes space for what is next.' Launched in 2022; Tennis Black List is the only global platform dedicated to celebrating and documenting Black and mixed-black impact in tennis — from grassroots organisers to elite players. A movement rooted in recognition, legacy, and cultural celebration.
South Wales Guardian
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
James D'Arcy reveals pleasure at supporting tennis awards
D'Arcy, 49, was one of several high-profile guests, including two-time Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread and former Lioness Lianne Sanderson, who attended this year's edition of the Tennis Black List, presented in association with Dante Talent and held during the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London on the 11th of June, supported by the LTA. D'Arcy, who holds credits in a blockbuster such as Oppenheimer, Avengers: Endgame and Dunkirk and is a keen tennis enthusiast in his own right, was grateful for the opportunity to attend and lend his voice to support and champion black and mixed black excellence in a sport so close to his own heart. 'It's wonderful isn't it?,' said D'Arcy. 'I know some of the people who work at Dante, so that's how I first became aware of it and very happy to be here and helping them celebrate the evening. It has been such a huge success. 'I started watching tennis when I was pretty young and it was the Borg-McEnroe final of 1980 that got me into it. 'I was always a massive John McEnroe fan because he threw tantrums and I was about the sort of right age for tantrums so although I couldn't match him on the tennis court, I could definitely throw a good tantrum!. 'The Icon award went to Arthur Ashe, who was in a field of one as a black man playing elite tennis at the level he did. 'Now here we are where someone like him is highlighted at these awards. It's great to feel real change coming. 'As with any sport, you would want for something like this to be available to everybody and that just hasn't been the case up until now. It has been kind of elitist and hopefully that's starting to change now. 'It just feels that that's the way the world should be.' Tennis Black List is the global celebration of Black and mixed black excellence across the game — spotlighting the unsung, the visionary and the next generation of changemakers. D'Arcy added: 'Events like this evening are so wonderful and joyful and they're doing such great work that it seems very clear that that's the sort of thing I would like to be involved with. 'I can get behind pretty much any player if they play well but in order to play well, particularly at tennis, you need to have access to money. It's as simple as that. A career in tennis is not something that's just going to happen. Some people are naturally gifted, but it has to be crafted so it's great that we have award ceremonies like this now. 'The people here being honoured must point in the direction of the fact that some of the money is getting to a more diverse group of people and that is wonderful to see.' Founders Anne-Marie Batson and Richard Sackey Addo said: 'This movement is about legacy. Tennis Black List is creating space for Black and mixed-black heritage excellence to be seen, honoured and remembered across all areas of tennis. We are building a global legacy that makes space for what is next.' Launched in 2022; Tennis Black List is the only global platform dedicated to celebrating and documenting Black and mixed-black impact in tennis — from grassroots organisers to elite players. A movement rooted in recognition, legacy, and cultural celebration.
