Donate to help me represent Great Britain

I started playing basketball at the young age of 18. I progressed through various leagues and teams, playing at a high level for many years. I managed to gain a place on the Newcastle Team by the age of 23 and played in the National league but never did get the opportunity to represent Great Britain on the international stage. I continued to play until I reached my early 50s and then retired.

About three years ago, at the age of 59, I decided to return to the sport when a friend of mine had the idea of starting a club for players of an older age group.

I’m not going to lie; I found it very tough going initially, but with the help of some walking basketball sessions and a lot of determination, fitness levels started to rise, and my passion for the sport returned.

I then saw an advert from FIMBA GB basketball looking for players 60 and over to try out to become part of a national team. The goal was to send the team to the FIMBA European championships in Spain in 2020. I went along to the trials in Manchester and was successful in being selected for the team. Then the COVID pandemic put the championships on hold for two years, but they are going ahead this year in June.

While it is an honour to represent your country in a sport you love, it comes with costs. First, everything has to be self-funded. National Training weekends, GB Kit, entry fees, flights, and accommodation add up to a hefty sum.

Initially, meeting these costs was not a problem. Still, due to a recent change in employment status, I am asking for some financial help to achieve this goal of representing GB at the European Championships in June 2022.

I’m not looking to get the total cost funded, but if I can raise £1000, it will be a massive help.