Last night (12/6/25), the Camden community came together for a truly inspiring evening at the annual Camden GLL Sport Foundation Awards, hosted at Acland Burghley School’s Hall for All. The event welcomed 52 attendees, including 15 exceptional GSF athletes, for a night of celebration, connection, and inspiration.
We were honoured by the presence of two distinguished guests: The Mayor of Camden, Councillor Eddie Hanson, and GSF Legacy Ambassador Ellie Simmonds.
The evening began with a powerful keynote from the Mayor, who shared his extraordinary personal journey from fleeing civil war in Sierra Leone to becoming Camden’s first Black Mayor. His story of resilience, representation, and leadership deeply resonated with the young athletes and their families.
Following the Mayor’s speech, GSF Director Tony Wallace opened the presentation with national updates, including a spotlight on our collaboration with Switch the Play Foundation, supporting athletes’ mental health and wellbeing.
Our guest speaker, Ellie Simmonds, Paralympic champion and GSF Alumna, captivated the room. She spoke about her journey in elite sport, overcoming challenges to win five Paralympic gold medals, and becoming the youngest-ever Team GB athlete at the 2008 Beijing Games. In a discussion led by Community Sports Manager - Nathan, Ellie also shared her current ventures, from early-morning training at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre to her recent success as a BAFTA-winning documentary producer.
There were many opportunities for athletes to engage with Ellie with photos, asking questions, and enjoying meaningful conversations throughout the evening.
We closed the ceremony by celebrating each of our Camden GSF athletes, recognising not only their sporting achievements but also their ongoing growth, commitment, and passion.
Ellie Simmonds:
“Thank you so much for having me. It was fantastic to meet all of the athletes and their families. Congratulations to GSF and the Camden team for putting the event on.”
Cllr Eddie Hanson, Mayor of Camden:
“Brilliant event with great energy, thank you for having me.”
Camden GSF: 2025 Impact
-
44 athletes supported across 18 sports
- Total value of support: £29,200, including £2,400 in financial awards
- 89% of athletes receive no other funding
- Age range: 9 to 47 years old
- Upcoming events that Camden Athletes have qualified for:
- The Deaf Olympics
- European Championships
- British Nationals
We are proud of the growing impact of the GSF in Camden and look forward to seeing what our athletes can achieve this coming year.
