Top athletes deliver a champion workout for charity supporters

FUNDRAISER: Colin Jackson and Jamie Baulch with guests at the Village Hotel

By Phil Ascough

Two multiple medallists from the world athletics stage made good on a charity promise of a year ago by putting a corporate crowd through their paces in a hotel gym.

Colin Jackson and Jamie Baulch returned to Hull to honour the bid by Andy Capes made at last year’s sportsman’s lunch which raised over £50,000 for the Sailors’ Children’s Society at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel.

But instead of leading Andy and a few colleagues through some arduous solo routines they agreed to his idea of adding to his donation of £3,000 by inviting more businesses for a joint workout on the eve of this year’s lunch.

Andy, office managing partner at RSM Hull, assembled other contacts who each paid £100 for the elite session at the Village Hotel. The contributions from Forester Boyd, MKM, Rix Group and Williamsons Solicitors generated nearly £5,000, which will be split between the Sailors’ Children’s Society and Dove House Hospice.

Colin and Jamie both won an array of medals for Great Britain and their native Wales at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World and European outdoor and indoor championships.

WORKOUT: Colin Jackson and Jamie Baulch leading a training session for charity supporters

Colin made his debut as a speaker at the society’s lunch in 2018 and Jamie first attended in 2020. Both have built a lasting relationship with the society and took the stage together last year to issue the training challenge.

Colin said: “After my speech in the first year I sat at the table and just listened to the stories about how and why people got involved. It was just so honest. Everybody was genuinely enjoying being there. I wanted to do more so I offered to put on a training schedule.

“I usually only do those with true, world class athletes so this really is unique and there was a lot of interest.”

Jamie, who conducts a silent auction to support the fundraising at the lunch, added: “Colin suggested I go along because he found it such a great laugh and he felt that I could help with the auction.

“We don’t normally come back and train the guests! It’s brilliant that Andy came up with the idea of getting more businesses involved to raise even more funds by offering them coaching from Olympic athletes and World Champions!”

‘PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING’: Charity supporters being put through their paces by Colin Jackson and Jamie Baulch

Natasha Barley, CEO of the Sailors’ Children’s Society, said: “I just feel a massive sense of gratitude to RSM who have been a great supporter over the years. It’s huge for us and absolutely lovely that they have decided to share the proceeds with Dove House Hospice, another great cause and their charity of the year.”

Jonny Bottomley, partnership development fundraiser for Dove House, added: “It’s a lovely creative platform to raise money for two great causes. The generosity of RSM and the athletes is inspiring.”

Ling Zhang, sales coordinator at the Village Hotel, said: “We were really excited when we heard about this. We have a full gym here but it’s not often two Olympic athletes come in to use it and it’s great that they are supporting two local charities.”

Andy added: “I am proud to support the Sailors’ Children’s Society and Dove House Hospice as part of RSM’s continuous drive to give back to our local community. These two charities do amazing work for children and families in need, and I want to help them continue their mission. That's why I decided to use my winning bid at the sportsman’s lunch to organise a training session with Colin Jackson CBE and Jamie Baulch, two legends of British and Welsh athletics.

“I hope this will inspire more people to join me in raising funds for these worthy causes and make a difference to the lives of many.

“Physically it was much more challenging than I expected and others felt the same. Colin and Jamie were quite surprised at how fit people were, but what we’ll remember is the atmosphere. The way everybody bought into it was brilliant!”