Olympic star Sally Gunnell has backed a campaign to protect school sports in Brighton and Hove.
The Sussex-based hurdler, who won gold in Barcelona in 1992, has added her name to a petition signed by more than 1,700 people urging the Government to keep funding the Brighton and Hove School Sports Partnership.
She said: “It would be a great shame to see the work of the local School Sports Partnership undone when so much has been achieved to develop the skills, fitness and confidence of local children.”
The partnership, which organises after school clubs, inter-school competitions and citywide events, has been under threat since the Government announced plans in November to scrap £162 million of school sports funding.
The Brighton and Hove scheme, which receives £320,000 a year, was given a temporary reprieve after a public backlash led the Government to postpone the cut until next year.
The campaigners, including teachers, parents, pupils and local politicians, are calling for the Government to make the u-turn permanent.
The petition will be presented to Brighton and Hove City Council at a meeting on Thursday, where it will be debated by council members.
Tom French, a Labour council candidate who started the petition, said: “It’s time our Tory-run council broke its silence on this issue and began working in the interests of local schools and families.”
