Top athlete Eilidh Child has been announced as the first patron of the Fife-based Thomas Mason Foundation.
Eilidh, 26, of Kinross-shire, is supporting the foundation, which was set up in memory of former Black Watch soldier Thomas Mason, who was killed by a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2009.
The Thomas Mason Foundation was set up in 2011 to give youngsters in Fife the chance to enjoy their sporting activities and to encourage them to believe that sport can give them so much more out of life and that healthy mind and bodies can put them in the position where anything is possible.
Eilidh, who recently became the first Scot in track and field history to win two medals for Great Britain in one day when she clinched a silver in the European indoor championship 400m in Sweden, followed by a gold in the relay, is delighted to support the charity.
She said: “It was an honour to be asked to become the charity’s very first patron and, when I got an understanding of what their objectives are, I was more than happy to come on board.
“Having been brought up in the Fife and Kinross area, it is something that is very close to me and if I can help encourage the next generation of sportspersons from the area then that would be great.”
The Olympian and former Perth Grammar School PE teacher added: “It is such an emotional story as to how the foundation was set up and I admire all of those who have supported the committee to date and, hopefully, I can help spread the word of the great work they have carried out in the area and help take it to the next stage.”
John Weighand, of the foundation, is thrilled to have an Olympian as the patron.
He said: “When we looked at potential patrons for the charity, Eilidh was right at the top of the list and it means so much to all of us to have someone so well known in the UK, Scotland and Fife to help promote the charity.
“Hopefully, together we can help the next generation of sporting stars as that is what Thomas would have wanted.”
The foundation was set up in memory of Rosyth-born Thomas (Tam) Mason, 27, who was a martial arts fanatic and a corporal in The Black Watch.
He was at his happiest passing on his experiences to youngsters or those who were less fortunate than he was. In October 2009, he died from injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan.