Skating star is seeking support for Uni games
Blantyre skater Victoria Mcmahon will reach the pinnacle of a 17year figure skating journey when she represents Team GB at the Winter World University Games in Switzerland next month.
But the 21-year-old member of Olympia Figure Skating Club in East Kilbride is desperate for sponsorship, as she faces a £4000 bill to do so.
Former Hamilton College pupil Victoria, who is in her third year studying architecture at Dundee University, was announced last month as part of Team GB for the event in Lucerne from December 11 to 21.
And her experienced figure skating coach Diane Dewar says Victoria faces a fight to be able to attend the high-profile event, in her first year as a senior skater.
Diane said: “It’s amazing she has been selected, it really is, and it’s the culmination of years and years of hard work that she’s put in. “This is the biggest event of her career so far. “Victoria has dreamed about this for a long time. When she first went to university she knew she wouldn’t be able to skate as much as she would have liked, but she found out about the University Games, and said it would really be her dream to go to that.
“It would be a lovely way for her to celebrate all the years of dedication she put in.
“I’ve been teaching for 34 years and she’s so dedicated and talented.
“I know I’m saying this as her coach, but I’ve taught a lot of kids who have gone on to do great things, and believe me, she’s got it in spades.
“She’s really good. There are only 10 girls qualified to get into the British Senior Championships and she’s one of them, but she’s actually ranked higher than that, sixth or seventh in Great Britain.
“Considering some of the senior girls are between 28 and 32, she’s pretty far up the rankings at 21.”
Victoria has been included in the GB national squad since she was eight and has competed in the British Championships at every level.
She has also competed for GBR at various Junior Internationals in Latvia, Slovenia, Holland and Luxembourg.
However, Victoria and Diane face a hefty bill to take part in their latest event, so they’re looking for people to step in with financial assistance.
Diane added: “When they sent the bill in I couldn’t believe it – the British Ice Skating Association pay nothing towards it, but they’re students, so how are they supposed to get the money to pay for something like that?
“The bill for Victoria and a chunk for the two team doctors, physios and a team leader, so all that in is £2800, and for me to go as her coach is another £1200, so it’s £4000 all in, and it’s just crazy money.”
Several companies have helped Victoria, including Hair Connection in Blantyre, Strathclyde Gearbox Services, Gary Longmuir of Pentland Landrover Stirling, GPR Property Services, and her employers Flip Out, who have been supportive of her.
Anyone else who would like to sponsor Victoria can do so by emailing jrmcmahon1@ outlook.com.