Isn’t it great when a plan comes together and the outcome makes a positive and tangible difference? Last night the seed of an idea that started almost a year ago, saw 220 business representatives raise £30,000 when they came together to help support the next generation of Wiltshire sports stars at our first Business and Sporting Gala Dinner.
We had always intended to build on the success of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the impact that special year had on our county and our local communities. It was the year we shared in the journey of our Wiltshire athletes and felt such pride when they won their gold, silver and bronze medals. We couldn’t help but be inspired by their immense dedication and outstanding achievement.
We also recognised that this year had a huge impact on the local economy when more than half the population of Wiltshire took part in local events. We knew we had to continue to boost the local economy and support local businesses and we have done this by hosting a range of networking events to encourage and support new connections and opportunities. But last night was about connecting businesses with Wiltshire’s rising sports stars for mutual benefit and it was a new idea that we hadn’t previously tested.
Our future Olympians and Paralympians need support and even the smallest amount of funding can make a huge difference in supporting their journey to success. We wanted to host an event that would encourage new connections between businesses and rising sports stars and we wanted to raise funds to establish a foundation trust to support those athletes who will represent Wiltshire in national and international competitions in the future.
Whilst we have supported rising sports stars since 2011 through our Future Funding scheme, the amount we contribute is a modest £5,000 each year and although this has helped to support five athletes each year we knew that with the support of local businesses we could do so much more.
The benefits for a local business if they support a future Olympian or Paralympian are huge. I don’t just mean the publicity and raising awareness of their name and product – it’s also about their demonstrable commitment to the local community as well as the excitement of being associated with a rising sporting star and following their journey to success; you only have to look at the recent publicity that Walter Rose butchers in Devizes received as a result of their support for the British bob sleigh team to know that this formula works and is mutually beneficial.
And last night the first ever Wiltshire Business and Sports dinner was held and the businesses through their sponsorship, attendance and generosity made it a great night. This combined with Phil de Glanville (former England Rugby Team Captain) as the MC for the night and Mark Colbourne (Gold medal Paralympian Cyclist) – who I have to say is one of the most inspirational speakers that I have ever listened to – and the attendance of many aspiring and elite local athletes made it a night that I will personally remember for some time to come.
A good plan doesn’t just happen - it’s about believing in an idea, seizing the opportunity, being prepared to take a risk and connecting others to make it happen. And when it works and it delivers the outcomes you intended – it really does feel good!
Now on to the next idea….
Jane
