Patrick Thorne
The British Alpine World Cup Ski Team have launched an online fundraiser with the aim of raising £500,000 following UK Sport’s decision to cut the team’s funding in the year that Dave Ryding became the first Brit ever to win an Alpine World Cup.
“We have been absolutely blown away with requests asking where to donate and support us since our announcement of funding cuts last week and with just 6 weeks until our programmes will be unsupported, it feels like the right move to make,” said Charlie Guest, announcing the online fundraiser.
“Funds raised here will be directly used by us to give our coaches and technicians job security. We are hopeful for a long term partner to be inspired by our story and invest in the team, but until then, this will give us the stability that we need to keep on training at the highest level that we possibly can to be able to take on the best in the World come Winter,” Charlie added.
On the fundraising page racers Billy Major, Charlie Guest, Charlie Raposo, Dave Ryding and Laurie Taylor explain,
“We are currently standing up to one of the toughest challenges of our careers. Despite a record-breaking season, with Britain’s first World Cup win, UK Sport decided to heavily reduce our funding. This means that our British World Cup programmes will be unsupported come the 1st of October.”
“Whilst we remain hopeful that we will find a strong partner to invest in our story filled with grit, gutsy performances and tenacity, finding stability to keep pre-season running and ensuring we can focus our full energy on training will be key for the best possible performances come race season.”
The team has set a target at £500,000 as this is the level of funding required to maintain all staff contracts and expenses for the season.
“Any help that you all can give, no matter the size will be appreciated more than you know. We really need this and want to make sure we are still on your TV screens week in and week out, giving you a reason to cheer extra hard on the World Cup circuit this season!” Charlie added.
