Teresa Parish

Teresa came to Barking & Dagenham in 1985. She assisted in various Sports Clubs & became the Boroughs first Sports Development Officer in 1986. Teresa in her spare time encouraged Young people to participate in Sport very successfully. Teresa Volunteered for Victim Support becoming a Trustee in 1995. She has volunteered for many local Community Associations in fundraising, organising Quiz Nights, organising childrens activities. On leaving the Local Authority employment Teresa began a new career with Redbridge & Dagenham Football Club as a Community Officer. Teresa on hearing we had won the Olympics had a dream of forming a Trust that could help & support Young Aspiring Athletes to get to the Olympics as competitors. She worked hard in enlisting enough Volunteers from the Business World & the Local Voluntary/Community Sector to become Trustees. Teresa from the start told Trustees she had targeted them for their expertise so that the Trust would become a success. The Trust raises funds to award Grants to Young People who have the ability to hopefully reach Olympic Standards. To date the Trust has given out 92 grants for costs of equipment, training, travel costs etc. Barking and Dagenham is a y needy borough with high levels of low income & poverty. Without the financial help of the Trust many of our Young Athletes would not have been able to achieve the chance of competing in the Olympics. Teresa knows each Athlete. Living a Dream Trust is unique in this country.