Easter Group is delighted to sponsor some of Britain’s most talented young athletes as well a awarding a scholarship annually to a member of the Surrey County Cricket Club.
The talented young athletes chosen for sponsorship include; James Birch, a Formula Vee racer; Shanaze Reade, a BMX racer; and Emily Pidgeon, a 3,000m and 5,000m runner.
Peter Taylor, Managing Director of Easter Group, said of the sponsorship: “James, Emily and Shanaze sum up everything we admire in the greatest of athletes, they have energy, enthusiasm and dedication.The team at Easter wanted to show its support of the next generation of stars to compete on the world stage over the coming years.”
James Birch was the national junior karting champion in 2005 before becoming the Yophoto Formula Vee 2006 champion and class winner of the 40th Anniversary race at the Nurburgring in October 2006.
Peter Taylor said: “James’s father works for Hamiltons Architects with whom Easter has an excellent long term working partnership. When we heard about James’s racing ambitions we were delighted to support him and look forward to seeing him race throughout 2007.”
Emily Pidgeon won the 5,000m title at the European Under-20 Championships at the age of 16 in July 2005. In December 2006, Pidgeon was in the victorious junior female team at the European Cross-Country Championships, where she finished fourth. Emily is aiming to qualify to represent the UK in the 2012 Olympic Games.
At only 17, Shanaze Reade is currently the number one female junior BMX racer in the UK, Europe and in the World. Shanaze has gained her speed and skills by racing against the womens’ senior and mens’ sections. BMX makes its Olympic debut in Beijing. Shanaze said: “My sights are now firmly set on gold at the 2008 Olympics and I know that with the right training, dedication and support that I can do it - it is a very exciting period of my life!”
Finally, the head coach from the Surrey County Cricket Club will award its most talented player an Easter scholarshipat the end of each season. The award will support a winter training programme at home, or a tour to an international cricket academy. Easter is a keen supporter of Surrey Cricket Club and is a personal sponsor of Surrey Captain, Mark Butcher.
Photographs (from top to bottom): Shanaze Reade and Emily Pidgeon