Olympic athlete Fatima Whitbread MBE has been named as a finalist in this year’s Celebrity category for the GoCardless JustGiving Awards, after taking on an a number of fundraising challenges over the last year.
The 63-year-old was nominated by members of the public for her ongoing challenges to raise money for ‘Fatima’s UK Campaign’, her own campaign which she started three years ago to raise awareness, practical and emotional support, and funds for children and young people in the UK care system.
As a three-month-old baby, Fatima was abandoned in a flat, left suffering from malnutrition and dehydration and as a result she spent the next 14 years of her childhood in the UK care system. Fatima finally found a family of her own when she was fostered by javelin coach Margaret Whitbread, her husband, John Whitbread, and their two sons, Gregg and Kirk.
After experiencing firsthand how it feels to grow up in the care system, the Olympian is on a mission to support as many children as possible in that situation, through her own campaign.
Fatima has been taking on numerous challenges to raise money including walking last year’s London Marathon route the day before the race itself, climbing Mont Blanc in France and Grand Paradiso in Italy, hiking the chalky hills of The South Downs, climbing the UK’s highest peaks of England, Scotland and Wales in under 24 hours last October, and most recently, in May this year, she climbed to Everest base camp.
Fatima, who lives in Ingatestone in Essex said: “I feel very honoured to have been nominated for this award and I am looking forward to meeting other fundraisers and hearing about other charities and celebrating everyone’s achievements.
“I have chosen challenges that would really push me, both mentally and physically and although tough, I have enjoyed every one of them as I know that each one brings me closer to my goal of raising £1.75m to support young people and children in the care system. As someone who grew up in the UK care system myself, I know how important it is for every child to have a safe and happy childhood and the money I raise will go some way to helping others in the same situation.”
The Olympic athlete was selected by a panel of judges which included TV Personality, Jake Quickenden, Strictly Come Dancing’s, Amy Dowden, actor and presenter, Sunetra Sarker, award-winning British broadcaster, Adele Roberts, award-winning BBC Radio 1 presenter and DJ, Rickie Haywood-Williams and former Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds OBE, award winning fundraiser Caroline Jones, MD of UK & Ireland and Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless, Pat Phelan and the president and general manager of JustGiving, Pascale Harvie.
This is the twelfth year of the JustGiving Awards and the judges agreed that this year’s event will be an extremely moving yet inspiring evening. From more than 18,000 nominations, the judges worked hard to shortlist 21 inspiring finalists, three for each of the seven awards categories as well as a special recognition award for someone who has gone above and beyond to raise money for their cause.
Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager at JustGiving said: We’ve been so inspired by Fatimah and her determination to help all children receive the wonderful childhood that they deserve.
“Her dedication is truly admirable and we cannot wait to celebrate her achievements at what will be our twelfth JustGiving awards ceremony in September.”
Members of the public now have the opportunity to vote for the fundraisers they want to see crowned for their efforts via the JustGiving website.
The eight winners will be announced at the ceremony which takes place at London’s Roundhouse on the evening of September 18th. Winners will be presented with their official trophy by some of the biggest celebrities and fundraising legends in the UK.
Pat Phelan, MD of UK & Ireland and Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless said: “I’m so pleased to see Fatima recognised as a finalist in this year’s GoCardless JustGiving Awards. I was blown away by her dedication to raise money for you people in care and I’m glad that we’re able to shine a light on her efforts.”
