From the Argus:
FARRELL HAS TO FIND £3000 TO GO TO DEAF OLYMPICS
21/05/2009 Striker Lee Farrell is desperate to feel on top of the world again.
Four years ago Farrell hit the winning goal in the final as Great Britain's football team triumphed at the Deaf Olympics in Australia. It was a moment which will live with the 26-year-old for the rest of his life. Now the Worthing striker has the chance to repeat the feat after being selected for the 2009 Deaf Olympics in Taiwan later this year.
It is an honour Farrell, who shot to national fame by scoring twice for Horsham against Swansea City in a televised FA Cup clash last season, is extremely proud of. And one he has to pay for! With no funding available, each member of the squad has been asked to cough up £3,000 to pay for the trip.
Farrell is determined to go to the tournament but the money is a huge sum for someone who works as a life attendant at a leisure centre. Farrell said: "I consider this a wonderful honour to be selected again, knowing that Great Britain are the Deaf Olympic champions and will be defending the title. The bad news is that to fulfil my participation I have to raise a whopping £3,000. Because of the London 2012 Olympics, we are not getting financial aid from UK Sport via the Government. This means I will have to pay out of my own pocket, leaving a very big hole for sure."
Dad Graham has been a big supporter of his son since he first burst on to the Sussex scene with East Preston before moving to Lewes, Horsham and Worthing. He has been a regular scorer at every club but his finest moment undoubtedly came in Australia in 2005 where he finished as the tournament's top scorer with eleven goals, including that winner in the final. Graham says he will find a way for his son to attend the Taiwan tournament in August and September but is angry there is no funding available. He said: "Lee is desperate to go because he feels this could be his last tournament with Great Britain. After this he thinks it is time for the younger players to have a go. He goes mad for representing his country. It is an honour and he says there is nothing like it. It is so annoying because we hear people at the highest level saying money is being pumped into grassroots football but these lads are having to pay to represent their country."
Farrell Jr has already got some money together but is asking people to help him achieve his dream through the `Sports Match Challenge` where he matches any donation made. He said: "For example, if someone contributes £100 then I will pay £100 to match that sum. This way, the money will be doubled, making my fund raising a lot easier. I hope people will be happy to help me out towards a most worthy event. Taking part in the Deaf Olympics is the ultimate dream for any deaf footballer."
Anyone who would like to help Farrell can make a donation via www.justgiving.com/leefarrell or send a cheque made payable to "Great Britain Deaf Football" to Great Britain Deaf Football, 13 Broadwater Dale, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 3HQ, making it clear it is a donation for Lee Farrell.
FARRELL HAS TO FIND £3000 TO GO TO DEAF OLYMPICS
21/05/2009 Striker Lee Farrell is desperate to feel on top of the world again.
Four years ago Farrell hit the winning goal in the final as Great Britain's football team triumphed at the Deaf Olympics in Australia. It was a moment which will live with the 26-year-old for the rest of his life. Now the Worthing striker has the chance to repeat the feat after being selected for the 2009 Deaf Olympics in Taiwan later this year.
It is an honour Farrell, who shot to national fame by scoring twice for Horsham against Swansea City in a televised FA Cup clash last season, is extremely proud of. And one he has to pay for! With no funding available, each member of the squad has been asked to cough up £3,000 to pay for the trip.
Farrell is determined to go to the tournament but the money is a huge sum for someone who works as a life attendant at a leisure centre. Farrell said: "I consider this a wonderful honour to be selected again, knowing that Great Britain are the Deaf Olympic champions and will be defending the title. The bad news is that to fulfil my participation I have to raise a whopping £3,000. Because of the London 2012 Olympics, we are not getting financial aid from UK Sport via the Government. This means I will have to pay out of my own pocket, leaving a very big hole for sure."
Dad Graham has been a big supporter of his son since he first burst on to the Sussex scene with East Preston before moving to Lewes, Horsham and Worthing. He has been a regular scorer at every club but his finest moment undoubtedly came in Australia in 2005 where he finished as the tournament's top scorer with eleven goals, including that winner in the final. Graham says he will find a way for his son to attend the Taiwan tournament in August and September but is angry there is no funding available. He said: "Lee is desperate to go because he feels this could be his last tournament with Great Britain. After this he thinks it is time for the younger players to have a go. He goes mad for representing his country. It is an honour and he says there is nothing like it. It is so annoying because we hear people at the highest level saying money is being pumped into grassroots football but these lads are having to pay to represent their country."
Farrell Jr has already got some money together but is asking people to help him achieve his dream through the `Sports Match Challenge` where he matches any donation made. He said: "For example, if someone contributes £100 then I will pay £100 to match that sum. This way, the money will be doubled, making my fund raising a lot easier. I hope people will be happy to help me out towards a most worthy event. Taking part in the Deaf Olympics is the ultimate dream for any deaf footballer."
Anyone who would like to help Farrell can make a donation via www.justgiving.com/leefarrell or send a cheque made payable to "Great Britain Deaf Football" to Great Britain Deaf Football, 13 Broadwater Dale, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 3HQ, making it clear it is a donation for Lee Farrell.
