Youth Sport Trust talent camp, Loughborough

I have been helping out recently with the Youth Sport Trust, I joined them for a 3 day talent camp at Loughborough University, where about 80 of our next generation sporting champions from across country were all joined together to find out what it takes to become the best. The National Talent Orientation Camp offered the 14-18 year olds a unique opportunity to develop their skills on a personal, sporting academic and vocational level, to mix with many sporting champions in their sports, to ask questions and to learn.
The sports represented at the 2010 camp this year were canoeing, cycling, rowing, hockey, wheelchair basketball, badminton, sailing, rugby and netball. I was there to help put the youngsters through a series of physical, mental and educational challenges and scenarios, whilst also offering advice and support. I joined in with many of the sports including some of the wheelchair basketball sessions, a great team of inspiring athletes. I was able to give my top tips, advice and help to everyone during my sessions with them, I wish them all the very best to achieve their goals and dreams.

Receiving my MBE at Buckingham Palace

The past few months have been so crazy busy that I forgot to mention how beautiful my MBE award is that I received at Buckingham Palace! It was a wonderful day out for my parents and me even though it was a bit brrrrrr as we stood around for the photos after the ceremony! To be inside the rooms at Buckingham Palace was a real privilege I will never forget.

Back to racing!

So my first race will be in Igls, Austria. A few days ago I searched out my big bags and started to pack my kit, last time I packed was to go to the Olympics 11 months ago. It has been a long time away from the ice and competitions, Im feeling a little apprehensive about sliding again. Lots of questions are going around in my head…will it feel different now? Will I still enjoy it, will I still have the drive inside to compete? I know I am not as prepared as the past years, so It will be a different mentally I have to adopt now for these races, but one that Im looking forward to.
Arthur my sled and I have a lot of bonding to do, and quick!! we have missed out on the last 3 months of sliding and racing, so lots of catching up to do on the other competitors! I have one week before my first race which is the 14th Jan, which will be shown on British Eurosport, I will keep you updated on how it went and how it felt!

BBC Sports Personality

What an amazing night that was, standing in front of that huge crowd in Birmingham, in front of brilliant sports stars, to be part of the same group and in the top ten of the 2010 sports personality awards was a proud moment for me and my family. I was very lucky to be loaned a beautiful dress from Burberry, thank you, and some exquisite jewellery designed and made by a local jewellers Watling goldsmiths and silversmiths of Lacock near Bath, (take a look www.watlings.com).
I didn’t realise I would get interviewed up on stage during the night, my brain suddenly scrabbled as I looked up at the 1000’s of people, whilst looking around at everyone, including David Beckham right there in front of me! I have to admit I did get a wee bit excited and made sure I went around and had my photo with everyone, including the lovely Victoria Beckham! Made my night!

Power Plate now at The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath

I was asked by The Royal Cresecent Hotel in Bath, to go and try out their new Power Plate which they now have in their gym. What a great piece of equipment, for an instant workout, in 20mins a day you can tone and strengthen your whole body, I highly recomend going up there and having a go!

A BEAUTIFULL POEM WRITTEN FOR ME

I want to share with you this beautiful poem that a young boy wrote and sent to me in the post, it sums my whole experience up from the Olympics, even though I had never met him before.

Nervously she waited, waited, waited,
Nervously she waited above the frozen track.
She knew that she had trained enough,
And God was helping her above,
But inside she still felt nervous.
And she began to think no less
Of horrors that might make a mess

Amy Williams was her name
She had yet to achieve great fame.
The event she does is skeleton,
A treacherous, tight, terrifying run.
Nobody knew the girl from Bath,
But that would turn into a laugh,
If this girl could get the one gold,
Then her great story would be told.

Her first go was a beauty run,
She wizzed down...she was having fun.
Down the icy track she sped.
The blades of her fantastic sled
Were flying down the track at speed.
She did nothing but pray and plead.

Amy crossed the line in first place,
And broke a record in this case.
She lined up for her second run,
Waved to her proud dad and mum,
Before zooming down the awesome track.
The speed, she really did not lack
She crossed the line, the icy line,
And found she had a leading time.

Amy went to bed that night,
And began to think she ruled the fight.
She had just two runs left in front,
And all was down to those two stunts,
To get the only skeleton gold,
Of which her story would be told.

Her third attempt, a record run,
Now only one to go to be done.
She stood in the hut and prayed,
The top of the run is where she stayed,
Until it was her final go.
Down she went with a flow.

She flew round corners 1,2,3,
a super, stunning sight to see.
The line was crossed,
The medal was won,
The flowers were tossed,
And Amy's job was done.

FT Twin Peak Challenge

I have become the ambassador for Action against hunger, and great charity which support and helps out children all over the world in over 40 different countries. Their mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of malnutrition, especially during and after emergency situations of conflict, war and natural disaster.
On the 7th November I took part in the FT London Twin Peak Challenge. Joining participants in a race to the top of two of London’s most iconic buildings –The Broadgate Tower and CityPoint, climbing a staggering 1,512 steps. We all gathered on a very chilling morning and after a fun warm up together, I said a few words of encouragement before the challenge took place. Wow the climb was alot tougher then i thought! To be a part of London’s first double tower run was a real achievement and, more importantly, the money raised from this event went to an incredibly important cause. So make sure next year you sign up to the challenge as it provides a fantastic opportunity to take part in the ultimate tower running event, whilst helping malnourished children around the world.