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Times & Star | West Cumbrian athlete forced to take loan to fund Deaf Olympics bid
Bethan Lishman, 25, of Brigham, said she is devastated because she did not raise enough money to fund the trip to Chinese Taipei in September after six months of fundraising.
She had to find £3,000 to pay for costs, travel and expenses by last Friday.
But after raising only £600 she was forced to take out a bank loan for £2,300 and put in her own money to pay for her dream trip when she was not able to get the vital funds.
Bethan, a lifeguard and recreational assistant at Moorclose Sports Centre in Workington, will still be travelling to Taipei for the Deaflympics between August 25 and September 19 for the trip.
She said: “The fundraising didn’t go very well. I had to get a bank loan to pay for most of it. It means I will be out of pocket. I am still waiting for some of the funding to come through.
“I have applied to Allerdale Council and some sports charities. It is especially hard because of the 2012 Olympics.
“The organisations say most of the money is going there. Also people don’t want to donate because of the credit crunch.
“I was to send the money for the trip this week but I had to ask for an extension because the bank loan won’t come through in time.
“This competition is something I have always wanted to do. I went to the world championships last year, but this is the first time I have competed in these games.”
She will be competing in the discuss competition and also hammer throwing, which she is hoping to set a new British record for.
She raised money through a sponsored walk and donations. In July she is planning a bag packing event at a supermarket to raise money for flights and accommodation.
Bethan travels to Wigan every Thursday for training sessions. She also competes with Wigan Harriers around the country.
Colette Doran, a friend of Bethan’s from Carlisle, was successful with her fundraising after receiving more than £1,000 from Cumbria County Council. Colette, ranked number one in Britain for javelin throwing, will be flying out to Taipei with the GB team.
Bethan Lishman, 25, of Brigham, said she is devastated because she did not raise enough money to fund the trip to Chinese Taipei in September after six months of fundraising.
She had to find £3,000 to pay for costs, travel and expenses by last Friday.
But after raising only £600 she was forced to take out a bank loan for £2,300 and put in her own money to pay for her dream trip when she was not able to get the vital funds.
Bethan, a lifeguard and recreational assistant at Moorclose Sports Centre in Workington, will still be travelling to Taipei for the Deaflympics between August 25 and September 19 for the trip.
She said: “The fundraising didn’t go very well. I had to get a bank loan to pay for most of it. It means I will be out of pocket. I am still waiting for some of the funding to come through.
“I have applied to Allerdale Council and some sports charities. It is especially hard because of the 2012 Olympics.
“The organisations say most of the money is going there. Also people don’t want to donate because of the credit crunch.
“I was to send the money for the trip this week but I had to ask for an extension because the bank loan won’t come through in time.
“This competition is something I have always wanted to do. I went to the world championships last year, but this is the first time I have competed in these games.”
She will be competing in the discuss competition and also hammer throwing, which she is hoping to set a new British record for.
She raised money through a sponsored walk and donations. In July she is planning a bag packing event at a supermarket to raise money for flights and accommodation.
Bethan travels to Wigan every Thursday for training sessions. She also competes with Wigan Harriers around the country.
Colette Doran, a friend of Bethan’s from Carlisle, was successful with her fundraising after receiving more than £1,000 from Cumbria County Council. Colette, ranked number one in Britain for javelin throwing, will be flying out to Taipei with the GB team.