International competition in Portugal

Hi, my name is Jade Lally.

I am an 8-time British Champion in the women's Discus.

Yesterday (2/8/22), I won my second Commonwealth Games medal of my career. This time upgrading my Bronze from 2014 to Silver at England's home Games in Birmingham.

This year alone, I have self-funded my International competitions, domestic competitions, training and travel which has cost me over £15,000. I live in Australia (my partner is Australian, we live there for his work). I personally have left Australia 4 times this year. As a family (my partner and our 3yr old), we've juggled absolutely everything to keep costs down and keep me competing alongside the best in the world.

Despite having 5 jobs and a family, I have manged to get myself into 2 Diamond Leagues- the highest level of competition available to an athlete, competitions in America, Denmark, Switzerland, Australia and the UK. As a result of those competitions, I managed to gain selection for all the major competitions this year- the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships and won my 8th British title.

The consequence of paying for the above competitions is that it has left no money for me to take advantage of an opportunity this weekend in Portugal. In Leria, there is a double international competition on Saturday 6th and 7th August, which I am planning to use for my final preparations for the European Championships in Munich. It will cost close to £2,000 to go. I am asking for help in raising this money as I simply have nothing left! Money will go on the flights to get there (which are currently £600 alone), accommodation, transportation to and from the airport/ cab fare, and food. I promise you, nothing would be spent on anything else! If there was any money left over, I would put it in the bank and save it for next season. I am a very good saver!

I don't take pride in asking for help. But I am unsponsored, unfunded and now out of options.

Thank you for your time, any help is greatly appreciated.

Jade