Get ‘Dave to Rio’ was the cry that was heard across the Lewes Athletic Club when Rob Mullett a long time member of the club was selected to be part of Team GB at the Rio Olympics. Selected to run in the 3000m steeple chase which is the toughest event on the track it was a universal cry that Dave should be at Rio as well as Rob.
With UK Athletics unable to give Dave accreditation as Rob’s coach at Rio Lewes AC club members therefore pulled out the stops to find the funds to ‘get Dave to Rio.’ Using the crowd funding approach club members within 24 hours raised the funds to purchase air line tickets to Rio and to cover other costs. Using club contacts accommodation was found in Rio and tickets to the stadium with help from UKA have been arranged.
Not only have sufficient funds now been raised to ‘get Dave to Rio’ but additional funds have been collected which will be used to further support Rob in his self funded efforts to get to the Olympics. Without sponsorship and lottery funding it has been a heroic effort by Rob over the years to make it to the Olympics. Rob’s journey to Rio the greatest sporting stage in the world has been ably supported over the years by Dave Leach.
Rob joined the club as young school boy and has been coached, mentored and supported by Dave Leach the club’s senior endurance coach. Not only has Dave been a pillar of support for Rob throughout the years but Dave has been a leading endurance coach within the club. Dave has helped the club to light up the running scene across Sussex and beyond as evidenced by the fantastic results that keep coming. Dave also finds time to be the Sussex Men’s XC Team Manager and is a leading coach in the Sussex Endurance Squad.
Shortly Dave will be winging his way across the world to Rio thanks to the efforts and magnificent generosity of Lewes AC members, friends and colleagues from the Southdown Club and others from the Sussex athletics family.
If you have any queries or want more information regarding this post, please Email Reg Hook.