The name change came about at the request of LOCOG, and the scheme is entirely in tune with the main themes of London 2012 - developing young talent and creating a lasting legacy for the whole community. To that end, we are seeking donors to pledge £500 plus or £500 a year for four years, or a one off payment of £2,000. Over 76 young sports people have already benefited in sports as diverse as cyc
ling, basketball, badminton, tennis, trampolining, kayaking,swimming, fencing, athletics and eventing, and have achieved success at both county and national level. These young Somerset able and disabled athletes have both true natural talent and a keen determination to take their sporting careers to the highest level and represent the United Kingdom, but the costs of training, specialist equipment and attending competitions is daunting for any family. Whilst money raised is being allocated now, we are building a longer term “endowment” fund to encourage wider participation in sport. Within Somerset there is up to 10 years difference in life expectancy, depending on where you live. Significant numbers of schoolchildren are overweight, and one in three households have an adult with a long-term debilitating illness. The Healthy Living fund is designed to provide grant aid to groups of people of all ages across Somerset, to help them live a more healthy lifestyle. In May 2012, TS5C launched its Wheelchair Basketball Plus initiative with the aim of mixing wheelchair users, students and those with learning and behavioural issues living in Somerset. The idea was to show that everyone, despite adversity and irrespective of their situation, can work & learn from each other, and has a role to play in society.
