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Please meet Connie and Freya who were awarded Postal Family Fund Rising Stars bursaries. With our support, Connie has been competing regularly at the highest level internationally and Freya is beginning her international Taekwondo journey. We spoke to their postal worker mum Joanne about how the bursary has impacted the family.
Why did you apply for the Postal Family Fund bursary?
We applied for the bursary fund to support Connie’s Taekwondo as she competes at an international level. Participating in such high-level competitions requires significant financial investment in areas such as training, travel, accommodation, competition fees, and equipment. Despite her dedication and talent, the financial burden can be challenging, and this support ensures that she can continue to pursue her passion without limitations. The bursary allows her to represent her country, gain invaluable experience, and develop as an athlete without financial constraints affecting her progress. Connie is 15 years old and trains 6 days a week and already this year has competed at 3 International events and 3 British events, bringing home 2 Bronze, 1 Silver and 1 Gold medal.
Our younger daughter Freya, is following in the footsteps of her older sister. Seeing her sister’s success, this has been a huge source of inspiration for her, and she is eager to achieve similar accomplishments in the sport. We applied for the bursary to ease the financial burden and provide her with the opportunity to train and compete at a higher level, ensuring she has the same chances to develop and succeed as her sister Connie. Freya, who is 10 years old, trains 5 times a week and this year has competed at 1 International competition in Belgium, where she brought home a Bronze medal, and 2 British competitions, where she won Bronze and Gold.
What impact has the bursary had?
The bursary has had a tremendous impact on Connie’s Taekwondo career. It is enabling her to attend and compete in international tournaments, gaining exposure to world-class athletes and refining her skills. The financial support allows her to focus on her training without worrying about costs, leading to improved performance and confidence. Additionally, the experience of competing at this level has boosted her motivation and long-term aspirations in the sport. This support has not only benefited her but also inspired younger athletes in her club who look up to her as a role model. Connie in 2024 competed in 16 competitions, winning 15 Gold medals and a Silver at the British National Championships in Sheffield. Internationally, Connie this year has already competed in Belgium twice at an International level and in March at the British International Championships in Manchester where she brought home a Bronze medal. She will be travelling to Germany in September, where she will be competing against some of the best athletes in her division worldwide.
The bursary grant has been instrumental in helping our younger daughter Freya progress within Taekwondo. It has enabled her to attend elite training sessions, participate in international competitions, and gain valuable experience competing against top level athletes. This exposure has significantly boosted her confidence and skills, helping her to build a strong foundation for future success. Following her sister’s achievements, she is highly motivated to make her mark in a sport she loves.
What would you like to say to other postal workers thinking about applying for a Rising Star bursary?
I would highly recommend colleagues to apply to the Postal Family Fund. When your child has a passion and works so hard to achieve, as parents we fully support them. This support has opened doors for them which otherwise would have been difficult to access. Taekwondo is an extremely expensive sport, with no funding available. We are extremely grateful to the Postal Family Fund for recognising and supporting Connie and Freya.
