The Scottish Sports Aid Foundation was founded in 1980 to provide much needed financial support to talented youngsters who have the potential to represent their country in their chosen sport.
In 1984 the Foundation established the Scottish Sports Aid Trust and this was accorded charitable Status.
From January 1980 to October 2006 we have given out 3667 grants totalling ? 1,326,125 to 3,667 young sports people from 35 different sports.
Assistance is given to youngsters in the 13-22 age group to help with their travel and training costs. very few of these youngsters have any income. The dedication of these youngsters and the many sacrifices made by their parents are to be commended.
It is these youngsters who will hopefully develop into Scotland' s sporting Champions of the future.
At the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 Scots won three gold medals for Great Britain. All three, Chris Hoy, Shirley Robertson, and Katherine Grainger, were helped by the Scottish Sports Aid Trust in their formative years.
At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne Scottish Sports Aid grant recipients won a total of 19 medals for Scotland.
Whilst we are proud of our achievements to date we are under no illusions as to the magnitude of the task that lies ahead if we are to continue to provide meaningful financial support to Scotland's talented youngsters.