Local weight lifter, Jason Pippin, 16, sweeps Barry McGuigan off his feet.
Over one hundred guests were entertained by an after dinner speech from Barry McGuigan, ex-featherweight world champion, at the first round of dinners for Greenwich Starting Blocks Charity.
What is Greenwich Starting Blocks?
Greenwich Starting Blocks is a new charity being established to support young athletes in the borough. It will provide bursaries to help up-and-coming athletes develop their talents and improve their chances of competing in the London 2012 Olympics.
Greenwich Ambassadors are organising a number of exclusive dining evenings to support the charity between now and 2012.
Find out more about Greenwich Ambassadors.
Turning something good into something great
Delighted to be at the event, Barry McGuigan said:
"I love the idea of Greenwich Starting Blocks Charity, it is unique and gives young people something to aim for, not just for 2012 but beyond that. Sport is a fantastic way for young people to build on social skills, creates communities.
"It’s great to see so many business here tonight supporting a tremendous cause and giving young people a sporting chance. I hope to more businesses will get on board for next series of events and put their weight behind turning something good into something great."
Supporting future stars
Councillor John Fahy Cabinet Member for Culture and the Olympics said:
"There is a great deal of understandable excitement about the Olympics and Paralympics across the whole of London – and the country generally. I often feel that Greenwich is the luckiest of the five host London boroughs – our venues are already built and they are world class icons in their own right.
"Within the Council there are lots of programmes and initiatives being set up to encourage our young people and the community generally to be more active. But, it’s important that we stretch those who show real potential. It is a fact that the majority of our sports stars come from 7% of our school system. If we are to bring on our stars of the future we need to address that situation - and that’s where we all come in."
18th January 2007