Please hear the call for the deaf

From: South London Press, UK - Jun 18, 2003

By Mandy Little

A DEAF single mum of three needs your help to make a huge leap for Great Britain.

It was a dream come true for long jumper Sandra Campbell Nottage, 34, when she was chosen to represent Britain at July's European Deaf Athletics in Estonia in July.

But the athlete, who has two children who are also deaf, now desperately has to raise £600 to make the trip.

She said: "I am shocked and nervous but excited. I did not expect to be selected for the team because I only entered the competition last month."

Her children, Simeon, 16, Zeon, 11, and Aimee, nine, are proud of their mum.

Simeon, plans to make the trip as a supporter and volunteer Sign Language interpreter for the team.

As the fundraising manager for Deaf UK Athletics, Ms Campbell Nottage also wants to raise cash for other members of the 10-strong squad - many of whom are still at school, unemployed or students.

Although the current funding shortfall could jeopardise Ms Campbell's chances of getting to the championships, she's already training hard at sessions run by Bexley Athletics Club at Erith Stadium.

She even travels to Coventry's Godiva Harrier Stadium and the Northwood Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, for specialised training from coaches using sign language.

And the athlete recently picked up a long jump gold at the English Federation of Disability Sports (EFDS) Regional Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Ms Cambell Nottage and the team would greatly appreciate any donations or any offers from businesses to sponsor the purchase of track suits.

Send cheques or postal orders, payable to Ms Sandra Nottage, to Deaf UK Athletics, Estonia 2003 Appeal Fund, Deaflinks-Staffordshire, Wellesley Street, Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 4NF. Alternatively you can email her on adidasidol@yahoo.co.uk

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