The Sadie Bristow Foundation is introducing school pupils to snowsport every month, with 40 children experiencing the sport at Snozone, Milton Keynes in October alone.
Children and parents from Bridge and Patrixbourne Primary, Canterbury enjoyed the latest trip to the slope, with the charity looking to open their next trips to another two schools.
The Foundation now has taken over 150 pupils to Snozone over six visits, providing a contained pathway to some and a new experience to others, that have never been involved in snowsport before.
The charity, which has done a lot of work helping to grow participation in tennis, has previously organised snowsport trips abroad but recently expanded its UK-based snowsport activities through day trips.
In the past few years, the Foundation has been running a successful ski initiative “Ski for Sadie” in France, but due to travel restrictions and the uncertainty of the pandemic, the charity decided to organise events at home.
Utilising Snozone, Milton Keynes for a snow experience in the UK, the events have been so successful that in the space of a few months, the charity has seen a tremendous rise in participation.
Sadie’s dad and charity founder Stewart Bristow said: “It’s all happening very organically and a community of interest and participation has arisen.
“Organising such days, it’s inspiring to see children succeed and become confident through sport. Participation in snowsport is unique as well and breeds a sense of belonging and something to cherish being part of.
“Parents as well have started to get involved after realising and experience what snowsport in England has to offer.”
The Sadie Bristow Foundation aims to continue Sadie’s legacy by inspiring more children to take up sport and to improve allergy education.
Sadie was a talented tennis player who reached the top of her age group in the UK. She enjoyed playing tennis and being active and played as much for the enjoyment of the game as for winning.
Sadie suffered from a number of allergies and asthma. Sadly, on 20th August 2018, Sadie suffered an extreme allergic reaction and tragically died aged 9.
The Foundation is now looking to introduce more children to sport and to give them the fundamental skills to enjoy an active lifestyle.
Sadie was the UK Number 1 tennis player at under-9 level and alongside this she was a keen skier, capable of skiing over 100 kms a day with her dad.
Stewart remembers Sadie’s exceptional sporting talent: “Sadie excelled in tennis and because of those athletic fundamentals and confidence in sport this was transferred across to skiing. At the age of 6 Sadie would ski 100kms some days; travelling for example from Val Thorens to the far end of Courchevel and back in a day.”
Now the Foundation in Sadie’s name is carrying out its mission by involving over 1000 children in tennis and snowsport activities on a weekly basis.
The charity is making a meaningful impact on its participants, with one girl now playing at national level, thanks to The Sadie Bristow Foundation.
Stewart said: “Sadie inspired me and through that I hope we, with the foundation, can inspire children in sport.
“The impact so far has been massive – happy children, more engaging and social children, children that are achieving. For me this can come in any sports and in any sporting environment. As a foundation we do this through tennis and skiing as this is what Sadie’s sporting aspirations were all about; her passions and interests.
“Sadie and I would spend weeks away skiing because she wanted to. The more engaged, the more she got out of it and improved, the more she wanted to do it and the more enjoyment it brought. Which is so important for mental health and wellbeing.
“Sport has been a coping mechanism for me personally; it’s so useful as a life skill. Seeing the children’s wellbeing, confidence, and capacity to do more increase and improve is wonderful and I wish to achieve that with all that get involved.”