The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 43: June/July 2019 | Page 40

POSITIVE BUSINESS Local firm helps Abby get to South Africa for U21 Indoor Netball World Cup After months of trials and training, elite athlete Abby Miles from Swindon, has been selected to play in South Africa for the England Netball U21 team – and digital marketing agency Smarter Media are helping her get there. Abby will be taking part in the World Cup championship in Cape Town, South Africa in August. She will play a defensive position in the tournament between Sunday August 4 and Saturday August 10. However to get to South Africa Abby needs to raise £3,000 to fund her ticket and her stay. She contacted local Swindon companies asking for sponsorship and Smarter Media were pleased to help. Robert Curtis, operations director of Smarter Media, said,“Abby’s achievement is to be admired – we are all quite sporty in our office and I was impressed by her persistence and passion for her sport. We’ve donated £500 towards her trip and we will be keeping in touch to see how it goes. We’re proud to support someone who is out there putting Swindon on the map.” Abby, aged 20, said, “I’m delighted and honoured to have been selected as one of 13 girls to represent England U21 in the Indoor Netball World Cup in my chosen sport, it’s an achievement. It’s been a lot of hard work but I am thankful to all those who’ve supported me along the way, especially Smarter Media – this company didn’t know me yet have not hesitated in taking me under their wing.” All sponsorship and donations will pay towards the costs of flights, accommodation and travel, as well supporting Abby’s many preparation training sessions and weekend camps leading up to the event. “I’m very thankful to be receiving financial support from local businesses to help with this tour. Without their support it would be a struggle to find the money myself.” Abby started playing netball aged eight. She then joined a club when she started at Lydiard Park Academy. The club didn’t have a child section so Abby played and trained with the senior team. “I love playing competitively and I love the teamwork aspect of the game. I’ve never been to South Africa and I believe that Cape Town is a lovely place, this is a lifetime opportunity. I will continue to work hard in trying to achieve Gold for England.” Supporting Abby is just one highlight of 2019 so far for the Smarter Media team, they’ve just enjoyed their busiest quarter ever and are on track for their strongest year of growth to date. Abby Miles (centre) with Smarter Media’s Rob (right) and Raj (left) For more info: www.smarter-media.co.uk [email protected] 01793 292 171 DRAGON IGNITES INNER FLAME FUNDRAISER Swindon-based charity, Inner Flame, is celebrating a successful Young Champions fundraising event helped by former Dragons Den star Piers Linney. The charity which assists unemployed, vulnerable young people in developing the skills required to live healthy, independent lives, held its annual event in April at the Doubletree Hotel in Swindon. Each year Inner Flame brings together local businesses and organisations to celebrate the young people it has worked with who have overcome adversity. Over 140 supporters were in attendance to enjoy an evening of live entertainment and a three- course meal before hearing from guest speaker Piers Linney. The self-made millionaire and star of Dragons Den said, “It was amazing to meet the founder and team at their annual awards as well as a number of young people whose lives have been transformed. It’s clear that the Inner Flame team is committed and passionate about ensuring every young person, irrespective of where they come from or the difficulties they have faced, has access to opportunity.” With Piers’ attendance, the charity managed to raise in excess of £8,000, almost doubling the amount from 2018. British skiing icon and Inner Flame patron, Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards was also in attendance. Having been the guest speaker at Young Champions 2018, Eddie made a commitment to further support the charity. He said, “To have the opportunity to hear such inspirational stories from young people having overcome their own challenges to succeed is brilliant, and I think it’s a great thing to bring local businesses together to recognise these individuals.” Inner Flame CEO, Gail McKay, added, “It’s very important for us to recognise these incredible young people who have overcome significant barriers in their lives to reach positive outcomes. With thanks to all attendees giving generously alongside our auction donors and sponsors, the Younite Foundation and Cardwave, we managed to raise a great amount at Young Champions 2019.” With Young Champions 2020 already confirmed as taking place on Friday 24th April next year, Inner Flame is keen to hear LEARN TO SKYDIVE TANDEM, ACCELERATED FREE FALL & FIRST JUMP COURSES SKYDIVE NETHERAVON is the home of the Army Parachute Association and the Red Devils with some of the best Military Instructors in the country. Forces Discount on Tandem; First Jump and Accelerated Free Fall Courses on request ONE DAY, ONE JUMP, ONE AMAZING ADVENTURE T: 01980 670734 W: www.netheravon.com E: [email protected] Airfield Camp, Netheravon, Wiltshire, SP4 9SF 40 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019 Dragon’s Den star, Piers Linney with Inner Flame Young Champion, Oliver Dooley and David Wreathall, Inner Flame from any businesses or organisations that would like to be involved. For more information please contact: [email protected]