Young Starrs Shine - Celebrating 2025 Achievements with the Champions Behind Their Success

On Thursday 9th October, the Starr Trust held a celebration night at Sussex County Cricket Club to acknowledge the achievements and progress of their Young Starrs, which has been made possible with the kind support of local businesses and individuals. The Trust has supported 37 disadvantaged young people so far in 2025 and recently awarded grants to a further 100 local young people struggling to reach their full potential due to challenging personal circumstances. In addition, two local projects have been funded this year providing assistance for over 80 young people.

In a powerful moment at the Celebration Night, Young Starr Bramble was interviewed by podcaster and new Ambassador Sam Thomas to share his extraordinary journey. From surviving life-threatening illness and liver transplant surgery to battling post-transplant liver cancer, Bramble has defied the odds. With support from the Starr Trust helping fund his athletic ambitions, he proudly spoke of his latest triumph: three gold medals for Team GB at the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany - dominating the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m!

New Starr Trust Ambassador Matt Smith shared what drives his commitment to the charity's mission, highlighting this year's extraordinary 'Coast to Coast' Mega Bike Ride Challenge - an event he both organised and fully sponsored through his business, Webtrends Optimize. Joined by fellow riders who conquered the gruelling 180-mile route, the team celebrated raising over £13,000 for the Starr Trust to be given out to new applications at the next funding meeting.

Patron of the Starr Trust, Robin Cousins MBE, attended to show his support and said: "With all the amazing fundraising that continues every single day behind the scenes, it's great to get the chance to meet and talk to some of the recipients and their families whom the Starr Trust supports. The change and subsequent success that the Trust has allowed, for all them is remarkable. Hearing the stories from them is heartwarming and their thanks for the opportunities afforded by Rob and the team is so real.”

This year’s event was kindly sponsored by local businesses THL Accountancy and Brighton CCTV, along with Seico Mortgages who fund the ongoing running costs of the Starr Trust, enabling all fundraising to be directed to where it is needed most.

Huge thanks go to all Ambassadors who attended and continue to spread the word in support the Starr Trust including; Daley Thompson CBE, Matt Smith, Momma Cherrie, Simon Haffenden, Stephanie Prior, Jason Burrill, Sam Thomas and Fran Dirand.

Thank you also to Trustees Richard Bates, Darren Abrahams and Claire Webster as well as members of the funding team, Sharon Starr and Rob Piatt, not forgetting amazing Patron of the Starr Trust, Robin Cousins MBE.

If your business would like to get involved, to discuss your ideas please contact: tracey@starrtrust.org

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