Hamilton is helping a Blackpool athlete with her quest to raise funds to support Team Special Olympics Great Britain at the Berlin 2023 World Games after becoming the only athlete in Lancashire to be selected as part of its swimming squad.
Charlotte Foster, who is 28, was chosen from more than 30 nominated swimmers to be named in the Team Special Olympics GB squad of six for Berlin 2023.
She will compete against other athletes from around the world in what will be the biggest inclusive sporting event of the year.
Charlotte is a member of the Blackpool Polar Bears, which is a registered charity and the UK’s largest multi-disability swimming club. In addition to her intellectual disabilities, Charlotte was born with a heart condition and has Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD.
Blackpool Polar Bears coach, Emma Inglis will be supporting Charlotte throughout the World Games after being chosen as the Team Special Olympics GB Head Coach, whilst club founder, Lynda Inglis is also a member of the support staff.
Charlotte works at Highfurlong Special School in Blackpool as part of the facilities team.
When Headteacher, Neill Oldham, found out about her achievement he reached out to his friends and the local community to ask for help and donations.
Within a week, more than £1600 had been raised by people and organisations including Daniel Mackie, who is a director here at Hamilton (Building Contractors) Ltd.
Charlotte said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out that I was chosen, I thought it was going to go to someone else.
“I was on holiday in Mexico and had to keep it a secret for a month, which was hard because I just wanted to tell everyone.
“I am really excited; I can’t wait for June!”
Charlotte joined the Blackpool Polar Bears when she was 10-years-old and worked hard to become one of the fastest 25 metre swimmers, attending many local and regional competitions.
She underwent open heart surgery just a day before her first birthday. Her battle didn’t end there and she struggled to adjust in mainstream school due to learning difficulties.
At the age of 10 she was diagnosed with ADHD and then Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 19, but she hasn’t let anything stand in the way of her dreams.
Charlotte’s mum, Ann Foster, added: “Charlotte has achieved so much in life and her position on Team GB is testament to all her hard work and determination.
“She will compete in three races, which are the 25m backstroke, front crawl and relay events, but her favourite is backstroke, which we joke is because she can keep talking while she is doing it.
“She loves her job at Highfurlong, they welcomed her as part of the family at their wonderful school and she works hard to keep everything spick and span.
“The support of headteacher, Neill Oldham, has been amazing and after he put out a social media post we got lots of donations including monetary and other support from Daniel Mackie, which was just fantastic.
“Neill and Daniel have pledged to support Charlotte to make sure that she gets to the games with Emma and Lynda.”
Neill, who has been headteacher at Highfurlong Special School for the past five years, added: “We absolutely adore Charlotte so when we found out about her amazing achievement we naturally wanted to support her and help to raise the funds she needs.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support of people locally and companies such as Hamilton and we will keep going until we reach our personal magic number of £5000 of funding.”
Daniel Mackie, Director at Hamilton, added: “When I read Charlotte’s story on social media I knew I had to get involved, she is an absolute inspiration and we will be supporting her financially and by gaining publicity to make sure her dreams come true.
“We will then continue our support by helping to raise funds and awareness for Blackpool Polar Bears throughout the year as it is a fantastic group that gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy swimming.”
Emma Inglis, Coach at Blackpool Polar Bears, added: “My mum, Lynda, launched Blackpool Polar Bears in 2000 after she struggled to find inclusive activities for her late brother Paul Millins, who had Down’s Syndrome.
“We started out at St Georges in Blackpool with just five members and now we have more than 100 people attending sessions at Moorpark.
“Our Learn to swim group starts at age five, our juniors are 8-16 and our senior’s squad, which Charlotte is a member of, is for adults of all ages. We also run water therapy sessions.
“We cater for everyone, whatever their physical or mental abilities and we are like one big family.
“Charlotte works so hard and thoroughly deserves her place on Team GB. I am honoured to have been selected as Head Coach for Team Special Olympics GB for the third time, so being with Charlotte on her journey makes it even more special.
“Blackpool Polar Bears is a charity, so we have to raise the money to pay for everything we do, and we have been overwhelmed with the support for the World Games.
“I want to thank Neil, Daniel and everyone else who has helped us so far and look forward to an exciting year ahead.”
Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities in the UK. Across England, Scotland and Wales, it provides sporting opportunities at 95 clubs that provide opportunities to participate, compete, and benefit from the positive impacts of sport.
Its team for the Special Olympics World Games is set to compete in 15 of the 26 sports and will travel to Germany ahead of the opening ceremony at the iconic Olympiastadion Berlin on 17 June.
To donate money to help Charlotte, Emma and Lynda attend the Special Olympics please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/blackpoolpolarbears
