FATIMA WHITBREAD CELEBRATED AT SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

Hackney’s Fatima Whitbread MBE was celebrated at the Sports Personality Of The Year awards last night.

The former javelin world champion was given the Helen Rollason Award, which acknowledges outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

In her acceptance speech, she spoke about supporting young people in care; a cause she has passionately campaigned for throughout her life.

Whitbread said: “I represent the care system sector and celebrate our young children, the remarkable resilience they show.”

Born in Stoke Newington, Whitbread was abandoned as a baby and lived in children’s homes until she was 14.

She found a passion in athletics, and was eventually fostered by her javelin coach Margaret Whitbread from whom she took her last name.

She broke the javelin world record and won European Championship gold in her career.

Since retiring from sport in 1992, Whitbread has been a steadfast campaigner for reform in the UK care system, encouraging people to take up fostering.

For more information about fostering in Hackney, see Hoxton Radio’s previous work, and visit the Hackney Council website.