My name is Illaria, and I began archery in October 2020 during my first year at the University of Bristol. I joined the club as a complete beginner, not knowing that picking up a bow would end up changing the course of my life.

By my third year of university, I was struggling with depression. There were days when getting out of bed felt impossible, and the world around me felt heavy and overwhelming. But archery became the one thing that could bring me back to myself. Standing on the shooting line — in silence, with nothing but my breath, my bow, and the target in front of me — gave me a sense of calm I couldn’t find anywhere else.

Those quiet moments saved me more times than I can count. Archery gave me purpose. It gave me routine. It gave me something to hold onto when everything else felt unsteady. What started as a hobby quickly became the thing that kept me going.

Over the past 18 months, my archery journey has taken a very different path. From something that helped me through the hardest period of my life, archery has become one of the many things that now give my life purpose. I changed clubs, moved counties, and began focusing more seriously on competing. And in 2025, everything shifted.

After months of training, travelling, and learning from every success and setback, I qualified for the National Tour Finals — where only the top four female barebow archers in the UK are invited to compete. Standing on that stage alongside the very best in my category was an incredible honour.

My first international competition followed soon after at JVD Kings of Archery in the Netherlands. To my absolute disbelief, I finished 2nd place — and yes, the finals are on YouTube, and I still watch them to believe it actually happened!

And then, the moment that still feels surreal: I became the UK Indoor National Champion.

Shortly after being crowned champion, I learned that the scores I’d submitted across the year had earned me a place on the Great Britain squad for the European Indoor Championships in Bulgaria. It’s the kind of moment that only dreams are made of — a moment that the version of me from three years ago wouldn’t even have dared to imagine.

Being selected to represent Great Britain is the greatest honour of my life. But like many sports in the UK, archers must self‑fund the majority of their international commitments. Although Archery GB cover our entry fees, athletes are responsible for the rest — and these costs add up quickly.

I’m incredibly fortunate to have the generous support of Merlin Archery and Avalon, who have helped sponsor parts of my equipment through ambassador discounts. Their support made my bow, arrows, and accessories more affordable, and their help has genuinely made a difference in allowing me to compete at my best, and I’m deeply grateful for their belief in me.

Because of their help, none of the money raised will be used for equipment. Your support will go directly toward:

• Flights to and from Bulgaria

• Accommodation for the duration of the Championships

• Safe transportation of my competition equipment

• Local travel and essential squad‑related costs

These are the practical barriers standing between me and the opportunity to represent Great Britain on the European stage.

To some people, archery might just be a sport. To me, it’s so much more. It’s the thing that helped me find myself again when I felt completely lost. It’s the community that welcomed me with open arms. It’s the passion that taught me resilience, focus, and joy. To now have the chance to represent Great Britain is not just a dream come true — it’s proof that even in your darkest moments, your future can still hold something extraordinary.

If you’ve taken the time to read my story — thank you.

If you’re able to donate — thank you.

If you choose to share this fundraiser — thank you.

Every bit of support, whether financial or simply encouraging words, means more to me than I can express. I wouldn’t be here without the people who’ve supported me along the way, and I’m so grateful for anyone willing to help me take this next step.

Thank you for helping make this dream a reality.

Thank you for believing in me.

And thank you for helping me take my place on the European stage.