(Image: Supplied)
Aspiring athletes and volunteers from a County Durham athletics club enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the European Athletics Championships after winning a competition.
Chester-le-Street and District Athletics Club travelled to Birmingham to witness the championships in person after winning tickets through SPAR’s Go to the Games competition.
Their winning entry highlighted the dedication of the club’s volunteers, particularly sprint coaches Paul and Margaret Smith who were described as "unsung club heroes."
Chester-le-Street and District Athletics Club athletes and volunteers enjoy a trip to the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham after winning SPAR’s Go to the Games competition
(Image: Supplied)
The competition was organised by James Hall & Co. Ltd, SPAR UK’s primary retailer, wholesaler, and distributor for the North of England.
Vicki Burns, from Chester-le-Street and District Athletics Club, said: "We were absolutely thrilled when we heard the news we had won tickets through SPAR.
"Our coaches and volunteers are the heartbeat of our club, so being able to share this experience with them as well as our athletes means more than words can express.
"It felt like we had won a gold medal."
The group attended the championships on the day that Team GB’s Keely Hodkginson began her defence of the 800m European Athletics gold medal she won in Rome in 2024.
Chester-le-Street and District Athletics Club athletes and volunteers enjoy a trip to the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham after winning SPAR’s Go to the Games competition
(Image: Supplied)
This year’s event marked the first time the championships had been held in the UK.
SPAR also covered travel costs for the club and provided attendees with branded goodie bags to celebrate 30 years as the principal partner of European Athletics.
Ms Burns said: "The early start and journey down from County Durham were more than worth it.
"Our young athletes have come away feeling truly inspired after watching world-class competitors in action on the day.
Chester-le-Street and District Athletics Club athletes and volunteers enjoy a trip to the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham after winning SPAR’s Go to the Games competition
(Image: Supplied)
"The fantastic weather and atmosphere made the experience even more memorable, creating lasting memories that will stay with these young people for years to come.
"A huge thank you to SPAR for as without their support, many of our athletes would not have had the opportunity to attend.
"The goodie bags were fantastic too.
"The SPAR bucket hats and water bottles proved especially useful on such a warm, sunny day in Birmingham."
Chester-le-Street and District Athletics Club athletes and volunteers enjoy a trip to the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham after winning SPAR’s Go to the Games competition
(Image: Supplied)
Her daughter Megan Burns, 12, was one of the athletes who attended.
She said: "We were all so excited to travel to the Alexander Stadium and experience the Games live.
"I have been training at Chester-le-Street Athletics Club since I was eight years old, and I love sprinting, long jump and high jump.
"To watch some of the world's best athletes compete alongside my friends was a dream come true.
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"Seeing athletes I have looked up to perform on such a big stage has inspired me to keep training hard and believe that anything is possible."
Philippa Harrington, marketing manager at James Hall & Co. Ltd, said: "It was an absolute pleasure to host Chester-le-Street at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on behalf of SPAR in the milestone 30th year of partnership between SPAR and European Athletics.
"I am so pleased to hear the group had a wonderful time and I am hoping they left the event feeling inspired that one day it could be them competing on the track in future years."