British Olympic Ball

What a wonderful event this was, The first event that I managed to get a date...my lovely boyfriend Petr, who came over from Prague to join me. It was my first time at the event, which was celebration of the Best of British in Olympic sport, and serves as a critical fundraiser for the British Olympic Association to support our nation’s current and future Olympic athletes. I auctioned off a day with me on the ice track in Igls, Austria so one brave person will be getting a lesson from me on the ice and will hopefully enjoy their first taste of my sport!

Volunteer for London 2012

At 4am the other day I had a car waiting outside my house waiting to make it to TV Centre for BBC Breakfast news. As an ambassador for the London 2012 Volunteering Programme I was encouraging the general public to support and get behind the programme - become a London Games Maker! We are aiming to get 70,000 Londoners to sign up as volunteers. It‘s hugely important to the success of the games and it is one of the big things I remember about Vancouver. It was something for the whole nation and it will be the same here with the bubble of excitement growing in and around London and at the different venues. Obviously there are only so many people who can compete and be competitive but what a good way to help with the experience and to be part of it. Hopefuls must be at least 18 on January 1, 2012, available to volunteer for at least 10 days during either the Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games and at least three days of training before the events....so go and sign up on www.london2012.com

BGC Partners Charity Day

The BGC Partners Charity Day in Canary Wharf on 13th September was an amazing event. It was started five years ago to commemorate those killed during the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York. Lots of celebrites turn up to support & man the phones, helping raise money for all the charities. There was also the opportunity for many of the children who will benefit from the money raised, to meet the stars doing all the hard work for them. Although there were some technical problems, notably when the telephone system went down late in the morning, it didn‘t stop too much trading and commission earnings for the charities. I had my chance to pick up a phone…oh help that was scary, a blur of numbers is shouted at me and I had no idea what to do! I did have someone whispering in my ear telling me what to say and at the end even though it made no sense at all, I had apparently made several thousand pounds from my few panicky minutes!

GQ Mens Awards

On the 7th September I was invited to the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London, where a host of handsome men in dinner jackets and beautifully dressed women walked the red carpet to the Royal Opera House. I was lucky enough to be able to take two of my close friends with me, who were only too happy to take up the invite! Walking down the red carpet is still such a strange experience, getting shouted at by the photographers and flashes from their cameras blinding you, but it's enjoyable nonetheless! Thank you so much to the Karen Millen store in Bath who dressed me for the evening, I felt amazing in their Signature Print Dress.

BECOME A GAMES MAKER FOR LONDON 2012

Here is the opportunity of a lifetime about to be given to you, why don't you become a London 2012 Games Maker and be one of the faces of London 2012. you will have the unique chance to show what our country is all about, excellence, passion and positivity. In Vancouver my experience of the Volunteers was great, they help me and my team out so much making our time in the Olympics so much easier and less stressful, they were there to help us all day long with a smile on their faces.

There is a wide range of roles for Games Makers so something to suit everyone. Many of these may be behind the scenes or may require you to work at anti-social times. Some Games Makers may have to work off-site in a warehouse distributing uniforms; others will be outside exposed to the elements for hours on end, but all as important as each other.
Sign up today everyone!!

I went to 5 different countries in the space of 4 weeks in August so I'm glad its September now and wont be so much travelling planned, but recently I did take a trip to Gateshead to help out at the UK School Games, which was a Youth Sport Trust event.

It was a major multi-sport event for all elite UK athletes of school age. There were competitions in over 10 different sports as well as opening and closing ceremonies, so it gave the impression and feel of a full scale sporting event, brilliant practice for the children. As Ambassador, my role was to support and offer advice, if required for the young athletes. It’s great to have these big organised events for young athletes so they can get used to the competitive environment to realise their potential in sport and to give them a chance to shine.

SINGAPORE YOUTH OLYMPICS

A few weeks ago I went to Singapore to be part of Team GB at the first Youth Olympic Games.We had a talented team of 39 athletes from all Olympic sports aged 14-18, participating alongside 3,600 competitors from all 205 National Olympic Committees, so a huge competition.

I was out there as an athlete supporter/mentor to inspire and help out with our young team. It was really noticeable from engaging with the athletes how much the games represent a fantastic opportunity for them to compete with other young athletes at the highest level on a global stage. It was my first time in Singapore and I soon discovered how hot, humid and sticky it is there!

Was nice for me to be in shorts and t-shirts in this competitive environment, not the usual layers I’m normally in!