celebrating INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
On International Women’s Day #IWD #IWD2025, we’re celebrating women and girls across our organisation, from our inspirational founder and President, Dame Kelly Holmes, to our female athlete mentors, the incredible sporting champions who give our young people fantastic role models. From the young women we stand shoulder to shoulder with on our programmes, to our brilliant team making it all happen.
Our very own Ruth Mwandumba, Programmes Co-Ordinator, responsible for On Track to Achieve programmes in Sheffield and across the UK, is inspiring us all: currently on the British Olympic World Class Programme in Shooting, and competing this week in the European Championships, her dream is to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. All this, and she’s also expecting twins later this year. We’re delighted to also welcome Maxine McCombie-Mortlock and Lucy Probert to our team this year!
Athlete Mentor and Commonwealth Gold Medallist Claire Bennett has recently helped a group of young mums to focus on their confidence and wellbeing, raising awareness around the benefits of exercise for physical and mental health; GB Badminton champion Jenny Wallwork is working with a group of young women to raise awareness around bullying; Olympic Trampoline gymnast Laura Gallagher has recently supported cancer patient Victoria on her journey to recovery.
This December, three courageous women, Rosie, Mel and Clare will take on the ‘The World’s Toughest Row’ 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, raising funds for Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, embodying all the skills, attitudes, and winning mindset which we promote in our young people.
We have recently welcomed Sam Bussey as Chair of our board of Trustees. Global Head of an electronic foreign exchange business for a leading, multi-national, inter-dealer broking company, Sam brings us amazing corporate experience, as well as her passion for sport and physical activity as vital for positive physical and mental wellbeing.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the vision of our President and Founder, Dame Kelly Holmes, who set up the Trust in 2008. We believe athletes are inspirational role models and Kelly knows this from her own personal experiences. She wanted to create a legacy from her athletics career that would benefit young people, believing every child needs a hero – someone to look up to and be inspired by – her sports teacher was that person for her. When she founded the charity, it was the unstoppable positive attitude that she saw throughout sport that she wanted to share.