Two aspiring young synchronised swimmers, Hannah Bates and Sophie Freeman, have been awarded funding from the Life Leisure David Hopkins Foundation allowing them to gain valuable experience from professional training programmes in the UK.
Left: Sophie Freeman Val Cottam MBE Hannah Bates
Life Leisure’s Grand Central is home to the Stockport Metro Synchronised Club where both these talented girls are members. The funding granted will enable Hannah to attend the ASA Regional Beacon training scheme which she has been selected for and will help Sophie to attend the England Talent Synchronised Swimming programme with the aim of progressing to full England/GB team selection. This funding is vital for the girls as it will help them with their course fees, equipment and travel costs which are so important enabling them to progress and succeed in their chosen sport.
The girls were absolutely thrilled with the awards (above) and couldn’t stop smiling when they were presented with their cheques by Val Cottam MBE, Trustee of Life Leisure.
Mandy Waller, spokesperson for the David Hopkins Foundation which is run by Life Leisure in Stockport commented,
“Hannah and Sophie truly deserve the funding that’s been awarded, we love to see young people taking part in sport. We feel that by supporting the girls to attend these top level training programmes that their talent will continue to be nurtured and they will develop to the highest level in synchronised swimming.
“The Foundation is delighted to offer funding that benefits so many individuals and sports clubs in Stockport and extremely proud of the difference we have made and will continue to make in our local community.”
The David Hopkins Foundation … is supporting local charities and other good causes that help people to become more active and participate in sport or physical activity. Applications for up to £500 are invited from individuals living in Stockport and for up to £1000 for registered charities or clubs that are based in the Stockport Borough.
The grant application form is simple to complete, so if you would like to apply for funding for your activity or project from the David Hopkins Foundation please visit
www.lifeleisure.net/enterprise/charity or call 0161 482 0900.
L-R Sophie Freeman, Val Cottam and Hannah Bates
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