Just one year on from when Maidstone Borough Council launched an Olympic sponsorship project, all of its athletes have been given a hop, skip, jump in the right direction.

The Maidstone’s Dream project, which aims to gain sponsorship from businesses to help the borough’s athletes tipped for 2012 success, launched last May, with the first sponsorship deal being sealed in August 2009.

Since then the project has gone from strength to strength, with the latest sponsorship deals coming the way of decathlete Martin Brockman, with a £2,500 cash boost from ASB Law, Emily Cousins, with a £500 cheque from Cliffe Enterprise and James Hall who has been given a hefty sum from Clive Emson Auctioneers.

Altogether just under a whopping £20,000 has been accumulated from businesses around the county and nearby counties.

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Richard Ash, said: “This is phenomenal amount of money that has been raised in just a year for these promising young athletes. They are Maidstone’s future in sporting terms and all have the ability to go onto the Olympics in 2012 and beyond.

“I’d like to personally thank all those businesses who have helped with funding and encourage others to follow in their footsteps in backing an athlete who has the potential to go for gold.”

Gymnast James Hall, 14, has been given £7,500 (2,500 per year) from Clive Emson property auctioneers, which could help him achieve his goal of getting to the Olympic Games in 2012.

The Oakwood Grammar School student, said: “This is very good news for me, the money will go towards petrol costs, which will really help my mum and dad out.”

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Richard Ash, said: “What great news for James and for his parents. The project is really taking off now and the athletes are really benefiting from the business sponsors.”

James met his sponsors at a charity dinner; Go for Gold, held at Leeds Castle on March 26 to introduce young athletes to potential sponsors. The dinner was attended by Lord Moynihan, the Chairman of the British Olympic Committee; Alan Willett, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent; and Hugh Robertson MP, Shadow Minister for the Olympics along with other gold medal winners. 

Clive Emson said: ”Having spoken to James and his Father at Leeds Castle, I could not believe just how little support the young athletes get or, indeed, how much dedication they need to get to the top – we are really happy to help James who is an inspiration for young people.”

The website, maidstonesdream.co.uk, is being funded by Maidstone council to help create a legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games and promote sporting achievements in the borough.

Any business or athlete wishing to register their interest should contact Karen Smith on 01622 602759 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Maidstone’s Dream athlete Emily Cousins will be collecting a £500 cheque on May 11 which will go towards helping her dressage Olympic hopes.

Emily, 21, from Harrietsham, will be coming to the castle, in her training clothes, to collect her sponsorship, which is just the latest in a string of sponsorship deals for the council-run project.

Emily is thrilled with the money, saying: “I am extremely grateful to Cliffe Enterprise for their support.  It is so helpful to have sponsorship as I struggle to meet the cost of the training, equipment and competition expenses that I need.  I am going to use the funding to buy a much needed new pair of riding boots.  I would also like to thank Leeds Castle and Maidstone's Dream for organising the excellent event that brought us together.”

Emily met her sponsors at a charity dinner; Go for Gold, held at Leeds Castle on March 26 to introduce young athletes to potential sponsors. The dinner was attended by Lord Moynihan, the Chairman of the British Olympic Committee; Alan Willett, the Lord Lieutenant of Kent; and Hugh Robertson MP, Shadow Minister for the Olympics along with other gold medal winners. 

Trevor Algar, Chief Executive Officer of Cliffe Enterprise, said: “Cliffe Enterprise is proud to sponsor Emily Cousins in her quest to become an Olympic medallist at the 2012 Olympics - we believe that she has the talent to take her all the way to the podium!

“Cliffe Enterprise would like to thank Maidstone Borough Council and Leeds Castle for providing a fantastic showcase of local sporting talent, an event (on March 26) that provided valuable exposure which our athletes truly deserve.”