THE BEST YEAR OF MY LIFE!

FROM – LOUISE HUNT
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS PLAYER – GET KIDS GOING! TEAM.

“Last year was well and truly the best year of my life. In order to qualify for the 2012 London Paralympic Games I competed in 25 tournaments located all over the world.

It was a bit ‘touch and go’ towards the end of qualification as just two weeks before the cut off date I was ranked one space too low. So, I headed off to The Israel Open, seeded number 3, knowing that in order for me to qualify for the London 2012 Paralympic Games I had to win! - and beat 2 players which I have never beaten before! I played really well and won the Final 75 61. I have never been so excited and relieved, and feel it was a wonderful way to qualify for the Paralympic Games this Summer. Also I have never won a tournament of such high level before, so that was an added bonus, and added to my total of 9 singles wins todate.

I couldn’t have done all this without the help of you all and, of course, my marvellous charity, Get Kids Going! The Paralympics were simply incredible. I felt like all my hard work has finally paid off and I embraced every moment I could of London 2012.

I couldn’t believe it when I found myself at the front of the GB Team for the Opening Ceremony! I cannot say thank you enough for making it all happen for me.

What a wonderful year I’ve had.

Get Kids Going! is a National charity which gives disabled children and young people - up to the age of 26 yrs - the wonderful opportunity of participating in sport. We provide them with specially built sports' wheelchairs so they can do: athletics, marathons, tennis, skiing, rugby, sailing, boccia, basketball, sledge hockey, table tennis, fencing, shooting, archery, powerlifting and many more sports. Get Kids Going! inspires British disabled youngsters to compete in sporting events, from start to paralympic level, by giving them 'sports grants' to help with their; training, physiotherapy, travel, competition fees, design and development of sports' wheelchairs etc. With your help many can become world record holders and paralympic champions

Our aim is to give support to all disabled yougsters and aspiring athletes which need long term support, often over many years, to achieve their sporting dreams. Sadly, we are aware of big cuts in funding for such youngsters, from government and other sources, and so many of our youngsters are forced to rely on friends and family for financial help. As you can imagine this causes enormous burdens on many, already cash strapped, families and a constant worry as the cost of participating in their favourite sport is forever increasing.

There are hundreds of disabled talented youngsters who have the potential to compete at all levels but receive either none or very little funding and are desperate to achieve their life-long dream. With your help, together we can turn their dreams into reality and help make them into sporting heroes!.

Our work would not be possible if it wasn’t for the hundreds of runners who support Get Kids Going! throughout the year by running the Virgin London Marathon, Paris Marathon, BUPA Great North Run, Berlin Marathon, Ride London 100 Cycling Challenge, New York Marathon, taking part in L'Etape du Tour and the many other events and marathons worldwide. And also the numerous companies, trusts, schools and individuals who kindly give us such valuable donations and support. We’d like to say a ‘big thank you’ to you all.