Laura Till

Community Award

Age:

24

Biography

My name is Laura, I am 22 years of age and have a passion for sport. I have recently achieved a First Class Degree in BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching at Sheffield Hallam. The past three years have been a complete rollercoaster for me. During my first year I really struggled with my mental health and on the second day of my second year, I was hit by a lorry on the M1 and spun across all four lanes of the motorway into the central reservation. Though this was an unexpected and unfortunate event, it changed me as a person and completely changed my mindset. I realised that life is way too short to be negative and have since tried to accomplish and achieve all of my life goals. My main goal since year 8 has been to set up and run my own business. With the support of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, I am now on my way to achieving my dream!

I have spent everyday since my accident working towards achieving what makes me happy and I have been aiming to make others happy too, despite the physical and psychological trauma that I have experienced and continue to experience. I spent lockdown running 'Dance in the Street Socially Distanced Sessions' for my neighbours because I realised that lockdown could have been a really difficult time for some people and I didn't want people to experience the feelings that I once did. I wanted these sessions to provide an escape from the reality that we were in, whilst keeping safe! It was fantastic and the smiles on people's faces were amazing to see! My sessions were voluntary and I decided to further the engagement opportunity by running livestream sessions so that people elsewhere could participate from home too. I will continue to help, support and encourage others to be positive, live life and to follow their dreams.

From the age of 14, I have had a passion for working with Special Educational Needs and with those from disadvantaged background. My business that I am in the process of setting up will specialise in Special Educational Needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am a big believer in following your dreams and your passion so that is what I am doing! The work that I have previously done for these individuals has proven to be a very rewarding job and I now have the opportunity to show what more I can do as a result of having my own business and and through using sport. Sport has proven to be very beneficial and I aim to encourage an increase in participation within this demand and provide them the opportunity to experience the amazing benefits that sport has to offer.

No matter where life takes you, no matter what life throws at you, you can achieve whatever you want to achieve if you are willing to put the work in to get there. No matter which road you take you will always find your way when you put your mind to it.

I cannot wait to progress my journey and I am so very grateful for the opportunity that the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust has given me.