Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes told of her historic double gold performance at the 2004 Athens Games during her visit to the Isle of Man. She was guest of honour at a black tie dinner held at Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club on May 26, where ?16,000 was raised for The Children’s Centre. Guests heard the sports star speak about her athletics career and her struggle to overcome injury before her astonishing triumphs in the 800 and 1500 metres in the home of the ancient Olympics. Her visit, which was sponsored by SMP Partners, featured a busy itinerary earlier in the day. Mark Denton, Managing Director of SMP Partners, said: ‘We were delighted to sponsor the visit of Dame Kelly Holmes in support of the Children’s Centre. I am extremely pleased that members of our staff, guests from the local community and especially so many young people on the Island had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful personality. Dame Kelly is a true inspiration and she certainly proved to everyone who met her that hopes and dreams are possible to achieve if you work hard enough and believe in them.’ SMP Partners has been a loyal supporter of The Children’s Centre in recent years. In 2009 the company sponsored a fundraising visit by Olympic champion yachtsman Ben Ainslie and continuously supports many fundraising events throughout the year such as the Adventure Team Challenge and Race the Sun. Earlier in the day of her visit Dame Kelly met SMP staff and young athletes training for the Commonwealth Youth Games which will be held in the Isle of Man this September. Dame Kelly is President of Commonwealth Games England as well as being a double Commonwealth Games 1500 metres gold medallist having won in Victoria in 1994 and Manchester in 2002. A tour of The Children’s Centre was also included as part of her visit to the Island. John Knight, Chief Executive of The Children’s Centre, was unable to attend the dinner at Mount Murray as he was taking part in a Land’s End to John o’ Groats cycle ride to raise money for The Children’s Centre. But a pre-recorded video message thanking Dame Kelly and guests for supporting the charity evening was played after the dinner. He recalled how the idea for Dame Kelly’s visit had come when he met her at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Dame Kelly Holmes was voted Laureus World Sports Woman of the Year in 2005 which added to her BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2004. She is now the UK’s National Sports Champion and through her work with her own charity, The DKH Legacy Trust, creates life chances for young people who are inspired by first class sports performers like herself. She also continues to support a number of other charities including the Variety Club of Great Britain, The Prince’s Trust and the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme. - ENDS -