Wheelchair racer shines at Croydon Sports Awards
Erin O’Flaherty, a wheelchair racer from Addiscombe, was one of a host of talented athletes celebrating Croydon’s GLL Sport Foundation awards yesterday evening at Ashburton Hall.
The event – which marked the announcement of the local sportspeople who will be supported by the Foundation this year – was attended by 40 athletes and their families along with Croydon Executive Mayor, Jason Perry, Councillor Andy Stranack, Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture and Asone Walrond, Sport and Leisure Manager.
The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) was launched in 2008 and has grown to become the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme. It provides financial and in-kind support to talented athletes, helping them overcome financial barriers to progress in their sporting careers.
Funding assists with essential costs such as travel, coaching, equipment, and competition fees. All supported athletes also receive free access to GLL’s sport and leisure centres and wellbeing services, operated under the ‘Better’ brand.
The GSF in Croydon will be supporting 111 local athletes in 2025 – the highest number ever in the borough – with the total investment amounting to £77,650.
This is the second year that Erin, who is 20 and has cerebral palsy, has been supported by the Foundation.
“Wheelchair racing is an expensive sport,” she explains. “I gave up my job as an early-years educator at the beginning of the year in order to concentrate on my sporting career so I am very grateful for the GSF award. It’ll allow me to train for free.”
Astonishingly, Erin only tried wheelchair racing for the first time four years ago yet is now ranked 4th in the UK and in the top ten worldwide. She trains six days-a-week at the track – where she reaches speeds of 22 mph - and the gym.
“Wheelchair racing gives me a sense of freedom that I’d never had before,” she carries on. “Living with a disability can be difficult – people assume you can’t do things. I could never join in with PE at primary school, for example, but when I got to Riddlesdown secondary school, there was a specialist teacher to help kids with physical disabilities to take part.
“I would tell other young people, ‘chase your dreams and don’t give’ up!” she concludes.
David Hughes, GLL’s Partnership Manager for Croydon, comments, “Erin is an inspiration. It was great to meet her and all the other talented athletes at the awards evening. I can’t wait to see what they’re all going to achieve this year!”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon, said: “Croydon’s GLL Sport Foundation awards are a wonderful celebration of the grit and determination that the talented athletes, like Erin, have demonstrated to achieve their goals. It was an honour to support the event and to meet all the recipients of this year’s awards.”
Sadly, Erin’s beloved pink wheelchair – especially adapted for racing – is now too small for her. Anyone who would like to contribute may do so at - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/erinoflaherty