Rugby World Cup winner and local business leaders come together to support Suffolk's young athletes

The big picture: Bracken was the guest of honour at the Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club event last Friday, which raises funds to support talented young athletes from Suffolk.

• Eight local businesses back the club that works with SportsAid to provide grants to promising sportspeople.

• Over 160 local business leaders attended the lunch, demonstrating strong community support for young athletes.

Why it matters: The initiative helps Suffolk's budding sports stars overcome financial hurdles in their pursuit of success.

• Training and competing at elite levels can be costly, putting pressure on young athletes and their families.

• The support can be crucial in allowing talented individuals to reach their full potential.

By the numbers:

• 3 out of 5 Suffolk athletes at this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games had received SportsAid support.

• SportsAid alumni won 141 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• Since 2007, SportsAid Suffolk has given over £250,000 in grants to more than 200 athletes.

At the event, Bracken presented SportsAid grants to two promising local athletes:

1. Charlie Beeton: A bowler who became British Isles and National Under 18 Singles champion and represented England's Under 18 squad in 2023.

2. Hamish Collingridge: A sailor who represented Great Britain at the Youth Sailing World Championships in Italy earlier this year.

What they're saying:

• Charlie Beeton: "I'd like to thank everyone involved in the Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club. It makes a huge difference to me and motivates me to continue to work hard and hopefully repay the faith shown in me by achieving even more in the future."

• Kyran Bracken: "I applaud the businesses behind the Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club and all those that attended today's lunch. There were over 160 local business leaders here today, all coming together to do their bit for young people from Suffolk. It's brilliant to see and makes a real difference to the young people SportsAid supports."

• Gavin Wood, Head of Private Clients at Beckett Financial Services: "Suffolk is full of amazing talent. To see young sportsmen and women that have been supported through our fundraising efforts go on and achieve on the biggest stages in the world is awe inspiring."

What's next: The next Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club event is scheduled for March 2025.