All About Us
In 1998, Martin Harris met Greg Silvester, our Patron, at a paper shredding factory in Staffordshire and was amazed at the skills and the history of Greg and his athletic achievements and the famous people that he had met on his journey to become a World Champion Special Olympic Gymnast at the 1995 Special Olympic World Games in Connecticut.
Martin’s background had always been in sales and marketing, working with shopping centres and exhibition halls around Britain. As Greg demonstrated a few of his moves, which showed incredible skill and balance, Martin conceived the idea to stage a few awareness events around the country, and with permission from Greg’s family and the Charity that he was working for, the first Road Show was launched.
The first few events attracted huge crowds and media attention, which delighted the shopping centres and from then on a comprehensive Road Show was launched which still tours today, travels all over the UK and raises awareness and funds for people with learning disabilities. The next few years were to see Greg win even more medals, and he now has well over 200, many of which are “Gold”, and he has recently taken up swimming and table tennis. In 2000 Greg was asked to carry the Olympic Torch for Britain at the Sidney World Games, his profile was increased nationwide with the help of the Road Show, and we were very sorry to see him leave recently when he decided to settle down and concentrate on his coaching and teaching skills nearer to home. He still has a very active role within the Charity, and likes to pop along whenever we are in the area.
Having formed the Charity Follow Your Dreams in 2004, Martin and the rest of the team decided to change the theme of the Road Show each year and involve local special needs schools on its journey, inviting them to attend workshops, and enjoy quizzes, talent shows, produce art and crafts etc, all of which helps to raise self esteem and confidence for all the little stars that come along and join in. Although each event is quite costly and the Charity doesn’t receive any Government or lottery funding, it still manages to raise a steady profit which sponsors youngsters into sport, art, music and drama.
The Charity is also increasing its membership base which will play a big part in making dreams come true over time and welcomes anyone to join or attend one of the events.
Martin’s background is in Sales/Marketing and his career has often involved working for Charities and organisations in the voluntary sector. Martin is a member of “BILD” and the British Institute of Fundraising Managers, as an entertainer he brings the Road Show to life and his patience is sometime pushed to the limit as he challenges groups of youngsters to show off their skills and perform in front of the watching crowds, but he loves it really!
Martin founded the Charity in 2004 and has built up a reputation with shopping centres around Britain, putting on professional and well run events with different themes each year, attracting both media and footfall to each location. Martin’s philosophy is to enjoy life and treat everyone equally, to accept the challenges and he loves to put a smile on the faces of the youngsters who attend his events. His aim is to create a school of excellence for people with learning disabilities where they can come and visit and expand their potential in sport, art, music and drama. He is currently putting together a fairly unique forum and chat room for people with learning disabilities and their carers to meet, chat and above find those in similar situations all over the world, and make some very “special friends” along the way.
At the very young age of five years, Greg proved to his family and friends that he had an attitude and determination towards sport. I don’t think any of them realised that he was to become a World Champion and mentor for thousands of youngsters Nationwide.
In 1991 Greg was spotted by Special Olympic Coach, Mr Alistair West, and with his help, at the age of 19, Greg came back from the World Special Olympic Games in America with four Gold medals, two Silver medals and a Bronze medal. Not content with winning over 200 Medals, Greg also became one of the first youngsters in Britain with Down’s syndrome to become a qualified mainstream gymnastic coach.
In the year 2000, Greg’s career reached a high when he carried the torch for Great Britain to the main Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, in front of the worlds press and he hit national headlines back home. The torch was then presented to Greg who has now appeared on television many times and whose story has been featured in dozens of newspapers and magazine articles.
Greg’s ambition is to eventually write a book and help as many youngsters as possible achieve their dreams
Sara came on board late in 2004, and with her background in administration and having personal knowledge and experience of living and working with youngsters with learning disabilities, has become a real asset to the Charity. Sara takes care of all the organisation and administration side of the Charity and the Road Show, as well as keeping Martin in check (which is often a full time job on its own!) And running a home and bringing up 3 young boys!!
Sara is keen to make Follow Your Dreams a household name, and is always looking for new ways to promote the Charity's profile. She is also working closely with Martin on his new project, and is very excited about it and can’t wait to see the results of all the hard work that has gone into the new venture, believing that it will provide a huge service to those that use it.
Sara says, “I’m the “n.e.other” girl of the Charity, those of you that have called the office may of spoken to me, I’m usually the one on the phone! I have been with the Charity for four years now, and I still enjoy coming to work every single morning, I feel honoured to be part of this Charity, and to be able to meet the youngsters that we support. It is an unusual job, and tends to vary from day to day, and can be very hard work at times, but to see the faces of these youngsters and to know that you have made a difference in the life of someone so deserving makes all the headaches (and Martins nagging!) worth it. I was recently told by a parent of a little one that we were helping that we were hero's, I don’t feel like a hero, I feel privileged to be allowed to be part of this fantastic organisation, the heroes are those youngsters who are out there every day with all of their problems and still putting a smile on their faces and living life to the full, and our supporters, who enable us to do all of this”.
