CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS
Round six of the BA Great Britons programme yet again produced a shortlist of eight strong contenders and British Airways is proud to announce the latest winners. The two winning entries voted for by the British public are Morgan Parkerson with the high-flying Great Britain Softball Team and talented artist Robin Footitt.
Meet our worthy winners below or read the latest winner updates on the winners' blog.
MORGAN PARKERSON
Morgan Parkerson (22) started playing softball at the age of fourteen and since then has never looked back. Morgan's talent soared and her softball prowess earned her a scholarship at an American university where she is in the final stages of completing her degree.
At the same time, Morgan plays for the Great Britain National Softball Team who have just had their best ever season beating some of the top teams in Europe finishing second in the European Championships. This strong display of British softball skills saw the team automatically qualify for the 2010 World Championships. As Great Britons winners, Morgan and her 15 team mates have been awarded flights to the USA to enable this unfunded team to compete on the world stage where they belong.
ROBIN FOOTITT
Twenty seven year old Londoner, Robin Footitt, knew from an early age that art would be the driving force in his life. His ability and passion continued to shine as he studied art throughout school and college; with a turning point in his life being the three months he spent in New York after being awarded an Internship at the Museum of Modern Art.
Following his inspirational time living and breathing the Big Apple's thriving arts scene, Robin returned to the UK and completed his Masters at The Royal College of Art as well as finding time for a studio residency in Paris. However, it is the city of New York that proved to be Robin's favourite muse and by winning the support of the British public Robin is able to reignite his NYC passion. Using the flights from BA Great Britons Robin will head back across the pond, to work and exhibit with the contacts made on his first, and showcase the best in British artistic talent.
ROUND FIVE WINNERS
LORNA BROWN
Lorna Brown (28), is the captain of the colourful London Roller Girls, the European Champions of Roller Derby. It was Lorna’s dedication to developing an emerging sport – Roller Derby – that captured the judge’s attention as well as her passionate determination to take her team to the next level.
As Great Britons winners, Lorna and the rest of the team have been awarded flights to the USA, to take up an invitation to train with the Gotham Girls Roller Derby in New York – the top ranked US Roller Derby team. Lorna’s goal is to make the sport as popular in the UK as it already is in the States, providing others with the same positive impact it has had on her own life.
CHOCKS AWAY
Together, Londoners David Aspinall and Ben Stevenson form Chocks Away, our second winners in the fifth round of Great Britons. This philanthropic duo is set to depart on an ambitious road trip from Great Britain to Cameroon in order to raise money for two worthy charities – SOS Children’s Villages and Send a Cow. As Great Britons winners, David and Ben will be flown back to the UK by British Airways at the end of their adventure ensuring their safe return.
Dedicated re-applicants to the Great Britons programme, Chocks Away were nominated this round for a second time and have emerged victorious. Their ambitious charitable endeavours and strong British character ensured that they gained a strong public vote to win support for their cause.
ROUND FOUR WINNERS
FELICITY MILTON
Determined to achieve excellence in both her sporting endeavours and academic studies, Felicity (22) from Leicestershire clearly demonstrated all the qualities needed to be considered a Great Briton. Already competing in cross country athletics at Olympic standard, Felicity is determined to nurture her athletic potential to secure a place in Team GB for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Not content with success on the sports field, Felicity has also earned a postgraduate place at the renowned Stanford University in San Francisco to study biomechanical engineering alongside world leaders in the field. Her British Airways flights will ensure that she can take up this place and achieve her goals.
SOPHIE GLEDHILL
Not only has Sophie (21) demonstrated clear talent for the cello from an early age, but it was her drive for success, despite obstacles placed in her way, that inspired the public vote. Following a car accident this year that left her unable to play for a short time and her father unable to work, Sophie remained more determined that ever to recover and build on her previous success.
Sophie’s evident talent for music was proven by her offer of a place at the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. In order to take up the place, she needed some help with the flights between England and New York, and as a true Great Briton, British Airways is proud to support her in her endeavours.
ROUND THREE WINNERS
GEOFF HOLT
In 2007, Geoff became the first disabled person to sail single-handed around Great Briton. In December of this year, Geoff will embark on an even greater challenge – to sail the 2,700 mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean unassisted in every aspect. He will be he first quadriplegic to make the trip.
Geoff's flights will ensure that his family can fly out to Antigua to welcome him back to shore on his return in January 2010. Geoff's phenomenal determination in the face of adversity was what inspired the judges to shortlist him, and earned him the public support that secured his position at the top of the list.
ISABELLA MCGUIRE MAYES
At just 16, Isabella showed enormous courage in taking herself off to the Kirov Ballet School in St. Petersburg, Russia. Not speaking the language didn’t daunt the young star, who remains the only British student currently studying at the school.
Izzy is a true Great Briton, representing British talent on the world stage, and overcoming huge challenges to achieve her dream. Izzy’s award will enable her to fly back and forth between the UK and St. Petersburg, ensuring her much-deserved holidays back home while she fulfills her four-year course at the school.
ROUND TWO WINNERS
VICTORIA YOUNG
Teenage Wakeboarding sensation, Victoria Young is ranked #3 in the world. Her application for Great Britons bursary will help cover her transport needs to the many international competitions that she enters across the year – including the European Championships.
She was the first British female to represent Great Britain at an international event. Victoria's ultimate goal is to climb the final two places in the rankings and become Ladies World Champion in Wakeboarding. This drive to reach the top is what marked her out as a leading contender in the judges' shortlist, and her dedicated passion for her sport earned her the winning votes.
GEORGINA GEIKIE
Georgina (24) is firm in her ambitious goals – to be British number one Lady Pistol Shooter and to gain a London 2012 Olympic medal. Due to her standard .22 Pistol being banned in the UK, Georgina is required to conduct all effective training abroad – as well as travelling to international competitions.
Her desire to represent Britain on the world stage and to achieve the ultimate pinnacle in sporting achievement – an Olympic medal – provided her with strong support from the judges. Her unusual hobby and evident talent propelled her towards the top of the voting table, ensuring her award of a BA Great Britons bursary.
ROUND ONE WINNERS
DAVID EADIE
Colonel David Eadie is part of the Combined Services Disabled Ski Team, competing for the chance to qualify for the 2014 Paralympics. Overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges in pursuit of their goals, their combination of determination and talent have placed them in a position to compete with the World's best in their respective disciplines. This is what sealed their winning position with both the judges and their voters as Great Britons, earning them British Airways flights to the Europa Cup Races to help them achieve their dreams.
DANIEL DOLAN
The next Billy Elliot in-the-making, 16 year-old Daniel Dolan is a precociously talented ballet dancer. Not content with impressive invitations from the Boston Ballet School, Miami Ballet and world-renowned Julliard School in New York to attend their intensive summer school programs, this talented dancer has his sights set on flights to Moscow: to take up a phenomenal opportunity to train with the Bolshoi Ballet company in Russia. Only two other British nationals have had similar offers in the last 235 years making young Daniel a truly exemplary Great Briton.
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