Kate Beer

Kate Beer, born Kathleen Dorothy Collins in Chertsey, Surrey in 1938. She threw discus at schools county level, and in 1954 travelled to Oxford to witnessed Roger Bannister break the 4 minute mile. In 1961 she became British Ladies Judo Champion (AJA). Kate (then Green), relocated to Leicestershire to raise her family, where she worked part-time as a nursery school teacher and in Loughborough University's Student Union shop. Apart from sport, Kate's other passion is drama. She has spent the last 30 years running "Scene" (National Association of Drama with the Visually Handicapped). Scene runs drama classes for the visually impaired, building confidence for those with little or no sight. In 1998 Kate suffered a stroke but as a result of her spirit and effort is now almost entirely recovered and attends weekly keep fit classes, she lives with her 2nd husband and now in retirement, volunteers in her community by listening to children read at school and by visiting and talking to elderly people. Kate has a heart of gold, always helps anyone in need and spreads happiness and trust to all she encounters. Steve Green (Son)