We are delighted that Lucy has joined our BRIT Ambassador family. Lucy is a double Paralympic Bronze Medallist with over 100 Career Titles to her name and one of Britain's most successful Wheelchair Tennis players. She has achieved career best rankings of World No.#5 in Singles and World No.#3 in Doubles, and is also a former World Doubles Champion, four time Wimbledon Double’s Finalist, Multiple World Team Cup Medallist and National Champion.
"As a former student, and through my career as a Wheelchair Tennis athlete, roles within the ITF Wheelchair Player Council and LTA Youth and LTA School Sports Champion, I know that many young adults and students are facing mental health challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all our lives in many different ways, however it is also compounding the existing mental health difficulties faced by young adults. One in four young people were unable to access the mental health support they needed during the 2020 lockdown and their wellbeing needs to be looked after in order to avoid long-term effects on their mental health.
The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) exist to support young adult and student mental health throughout the UK. They have evolved to become a collaborative charity and are striving to unite the charity, education and sport sectors through their BRIT Challenges. Despite employing any staff, and with minimal funding, they have partnered with a wealth of national governing bodies, and developed special relationships with a vast number of universities and colleges, to deliver an annual BRIT Challenge that is having a positive UK-wide impact on young adult mental health and fitness.
This year, BRIT are partnering with PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide, Nightline Association, Student Minds and the Charlie Waller Trust, so that all donations raised by the BRIT 2021 Challenge will be shared equally between five mental health charities who support students and young adults. I am thrilled to be part of the BRIT Ambassador family and support an inspiring charity whose innovative and exciting approach to support young adult mental health is being embraced by students, colleges, universities and British sports personalities and athletes throughout the UK.
BRIT deliver inspiration and encouragement to students by inviting Olympians, Paralympians and sports personalities to unite in support of young adult mental health and join their BRIT Ambassador family. I urge my fellow athletes to join me and support a university or college of their choice in order to encourage the 5 million students in the UK to take part in BRIT’s annual challenges. By uniting as athletes, there is potential for every UK university and college to be supported by a BRIT Ambassador.
I look forward to encouraging students and staff at Bournemouth University as they take on the BRIT 2021 Challenge, complete their 2,021 miles and raise vital funds for charity.”
Between 1998 and 2001, Lucy studied for her Bachelor of Science degree in Science and Management of Exercise and Health at the University of Surrey.
In 2001, aged 21, Lucy had a motorbike accident which left her paralysed from the chest down. She started playing Wheelchair Tennis and has since gone on to represent Great Britain at three successive Paralympic Games; Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Alongside Jordanne Whiley, Lucy made history at the London 2012 Paralympic Games; becoming the first women to win a medal for Great Britain in Wheelchair Tennis. The pair came from match point down to secure Bronze in the Women’s Doubles event. Lucy and Jordanne retained their Bronze medal status at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.
In 2017, Lucy was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts (DArt) from Bournemouth University for services to Sport and the Community.
Named as one of Great Britain’s most influential people with a disability, Lucy is currently working towards her fourth Paralympic Games, whilst also enjoying furthering opportunities off court. An active member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Wheelchair Player Council, Lucy is passionate about helping to develop Wheelchair Tennis for the next generation.
In 2021, Lucy was appointed Chair of the ITF Wheelchair Player Council. This year, Lucy also joined the Board of Trustees of Bright Ideas for Tennis.
Passionate about helping build the profile of disability sport around the world, Lucy is eager to help shape the culture and attitude towards accessibility and disability. Through sharing her own story and experiences, Lucy hopes to inspire people to strive for success no matter what life throws at them.
To read more about Lucy, please visit her website.
To find out more about Wheelchair Tennis, please visit the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) website.