Dame Kelly Holmes
Dame Kelly Holmes is not only known for her medals and records, but also for her gutsy, committed approach to life and work.
Having achieved success beyond her dreams, she has a passion for creating life chances for others.
Dame Kelly's charity, the DKH Legacy Trust, started back in 2008. In its first four years, the charity has impacted on the lives of over 50,000 young people.
Dame Kelly works with a range of other charities, sponsors and organisations where she feels she can use her skills and experience to make a difference.
Find out about Dame Kelly Holmes other roles and activities by visiting her official website kellyholmes.co.uk
We have asked Dame Kelly questions about her charity. Read her thoughts below!
What is the DKH Legacy Trust?
The DKH Legacy Trust builds on the charity work I have always done throughout my career. It is my ongoing commitment to a cause I believe in: 'Getting young lives on track'.
Why did you set it up?
I set the Trust up because I think elite sports performers have a unique experience that should be harnessed and used to benefit young people who have not had the best start in life.
Having experienced the highs and lows of world class competition, as a top sport performer you know what it is like to face adversity. You learn how to overcome the odds to succeed, an experience which, when you are given the opportunity to share it, provides fantastic life lessons for young people.
I also know how hard it can be to transition from being an athlete for many years to entering 'normal life'. So it seemed a perfect fit to me to enable other elite performers to make the most of their skills and experience to benefit young people, and in doing so, begin to build a new career for themselves.
What does the charity do?
Uniquely, all of my charity's projects are delivered by world-class athletes, most of whom are Olympians, Paralympians, World and Commonwealth Champions.
Our mission is to help elite athletes use their world-class experience to engage, enable and empower disadvantaged young people to lead more positive lives.
When did it launch?
I have been working on the Trust since January 2008 but the Charity really became operational when the CEO, Julie Whelan, started in July 2008.
What have you done so far?
We have recruited a whole host of top sports perfomers who are working with youngsters in our projects up and down the country. Visit our Charity Projects section to find out more about the difference they have made to so many young people.
It's not always easy working with young people though, and so to ensure the elite sports performers have all the skills they need to work on these projects and further develop their career, we give them professional development support.
Using some of the best people in the field, we are working with the athletes individually, providing advice, mentoring and bespoke training for all of the projects they undertake.
As we grow and our work expands, I have worked hard to build a team which ensures The Trust stays true to my values:
- Achieving excellence in everything that we do
- Staying focused on helping others be the 'best they can be
- Creating and retaining strong partnerships with the best in their field.
