The Lakenham Primary School Fundraiser

Aim

At Sports For Champions UK, we don’t just create dreams – we build champions. Embark on this transformative journey with us today.

Lakenham Primary School are excited to be hosting an inspirational workshop with Ariyanna McGee. Ariyanna needs your help to raise funds for vital training, medical and competition costs. This money will also help your school and other athletes across the country, find out more below!

The Lakenham Primary School is a child- centred school which has wellbeing at the core of everything that happens. The learning opportunities enable children to be creative, to think deeply and to challenge. They don't know what jobs the children will have in the future, they need to ensure they help develop within them the skills and attitudes to adapt where needed. They believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances.  Wherever possible, the children enhance their learning by learning outside the classroom.

Who's Coming?

How I started:

I started athletics when I was 10 years old, I tried all the disciplines focussing on the 800m and High Jump, before going into the U15 Pentathlon and the U17 Heptathlon. Following that I tore a ligament in my ankle which caused me to shift my focus to sprinting and hurdles. As a child I was really sporty and I tried a little bit of everything before settling on athletics. All of this lead up to where I am today competing at the highest level in the U23 age group.

My Greatest Achievement:

My greatest achievement has been competing at the Senior British Championships in the 60 and 100m hurdles. I also set the Bath University record at the Senior British Championships with a 13.78s run in the 100m hurdles, but before this I also came 6th in the BUCS final which helped me qualify for the outdoor British Championships. I was very nervous going into the Senior British Indoors, which was earlier in the year because I hadn’t met the standard, but I came out of the Indoor’s with an 8.76s meaning I am free to compete for the coming years! This season was amazing for me as I also achieved a bronze medal at the England U23 Championships and ranked 5th by the end of the season nationally!

My Greatest Challenge:

My greatest challenge was tearing a ligament in my ankle, this meant that I had to drop Heptathlon and focus on one single event rather than the seven I was focussing on. Alongside this it resulted in me having to go through rehab for four months. Throughout this time I suffered a lot of mental blocks because I was worried about doing any more damage to my ligament, it affected my jumps meaning I wasn’t performing well and having to make the choice to give up Heptathlon and change coaches a I was also beginning uni in this time! This taught me that I am not just defined by Heptathlon, and I started making a lot of progress in my sprinting.

My Hobbies:

Outside of sprinting I love to spend time with my friends and family, travelling, baking, and shopping. I love to bake while I’m resting because it takes my mind off my sport and is something that isn’t at all linked to what I do as an athlete so it can be very relaxing!

My Future Aspirations:

In the future I hope to be medalling at the BUCS championships, compete in the Senior British Championships, and hopefully compete abroad in competitions like the Senior European and World Championships. I also have my sights set on the Indoor Bath University record and hope to someday compete internationally for England!

Who are Sports For Champions?

Great news! Sports For Champions UK (CIC) will soon visit your school! Your young people have been invited to join a sponsored fitness circuit led by a Professional athlete, who will educate, enable, and empower participants with a view to inspiring them to be the champions of tomorrow.

While we're not all athletically inclined, we strongly encourage participation; all young people have talent and require inspiration to pursue their dreams - whatever they may be!

After 12 years of success, we have perfected our inspirational events, and they are guaranteed to deliver for your school and pupils!

Sports For Champions events are held in support of schools, which keep 60% of the funds raised to spend on resources that will enrich young people's education/experience. Professional athletes in need of support are the only other beneficiaries from the remaining 40%. Sports For Champions is an audited organization that is voluntarily registered with the Fundraising Regulator, meaning you can support the initiative with assurance.

What will happen on the day?

During the assembly, Sports For Champions athletes show medals and tell their story, hard work, lessons, and insights shared to capture the imagination of all and inspire healthier active lifestyles. Athletes discuss challenges on the road to success, with resilience, nutrition, diet, and dedication forming key topics. Fitness is essential for every young person’s general wellbeing in physical and mental health. It is also proven to be a strong booster of learning potential or brain power. By inspiring children as champions of tomorrow, Sports For Champions envision young people developing in all walks of life as healthy, active, community-minded participants in society.

Alongside Team Sports For Champions, athletes engage in invaluable work within local communities to support their training-related costs (e.g. physio/travel). Most world-class athletes train a rigorous 35-hour week and struggle to find reliable work that fits their schedule. This is how the funds we raise enable athletes and your school/club to realize their potential. Many pro athletes are unsponsored, lose support, or cannot find it.

Sports For Champions offers schools the benefit of additional funds to go towards resources/facilities, whilst helping athletes with the funds required to sustain their journey with an contribution towards training and competition fees, medical costs, equipment, and more.

Lakenham Primary School will be receiving an inspirational visit from Ariyanna McGee on the 6th of July 2026 and we need your support!

The pupils will benefit from physical activity through our fitness circuit, an inspirational talk including medal display, and a Q&A session.

Where does the money go?

When parents and guardians offer their support to a Sports for Champions UK (CIC) fundraising event, they are nurturing not only their children's immediate environments but also the bright futures of many rising athletes. Here is a breakdown of how your contributions make a significant difference:

For each fundraising event, Sports For Champions looks to raise enough money to cover the costs that it takes to provide such an excellent service nationally. Once that goal is reached, surplus funds are allocated in a way that benefits both the school and our passionate athletes – 60% for the school’s continued growth and 40% contributing to the athlete fund.

At the core of the Sports For Champions UK (CIC) initiative is the Athlete Fund. Primarily, the fund aids schools in less economically privileged areas that might struggle with costs, ensuring that the administrative fee isn’t a barrier to vital opportunities. Additionally, it assists our dedicated athletes in moments of pressing need, whether it’s recovering from injuries, procuring advanced equipment, or embarking on warm-weather training camps. Our fundamental belief remains unwavering: no school should be compromised for its economic stance, and every promising athlete deserves a fair shot at excellence. Our commitment ensures no child or school is left behind due to circumstances beyond their control.

Challenges Athletes Face: Our partnering pro athletes and Team GB Olympians have a world of responsibilities on their shoulders. They juggle between a rigorous training schedule that demands over 35 hours a week and their personal commitments. This often leaves them with limited time and resources to focus on their careers, leading to financial constraints. Expenses for equipment, training, coaching, travel, and more pile up, making it a challenge for these athletes to perform at their best and represent Great Britain.

Why is this important?

Lakenham Primary School is promoting health and wellbeing throughout the school, and with the help of a visit from Ariyanna McGee, this will be enhanced across all year groups and staff. They are also focusing on encouraging diversity and raising the aspirations of the pupils through sport.

Lakenham Primary School will benefit from the money raised as they will be able to provide new equipment, fund opportunities for the children, and more.

How can you help?

We're asking all parents to help make it a memorable event for the pupils with the help of Ariyanna McGee, to raise funds for key resources for Lakenham Primary School.

If you are a local business or a friend of the school and would like to contribute to help us get to our target, then please do make a donation and share our project as far as you can.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 6th July 2026 at 8:00am