Steve Ovett has donated one of the GB vests he was given to wear when he ran in the 1980 Moscow Olympics and won gold in the 800m, to raise money for the Mayor’s three nominated charities in his home city of Brighton and Hove.
Steve, who was made a Freeman of the seaside city in July, sent the vest to the Mayor Bill Randall from his home in Melbourne, Australia, with a letter saying: “Hope this fits the job.”
Cllr Randall said:
“When I met Steve in the summer he turned out to be all the things you would hope for in a hero, and he promised to send me a ‘significant item’ for auction. I had no idea how significant it would be. His generosity is overwhelming and is further testament to his love for this city. It is a fantastic Olympic postscript to an extraordinary sporting year.
“The signed vest and the signed photograph Steve sent with it will be auctioned to raise money for the three charities I am supporting in my year as Mayor: Allsorts. Martlets and The Women’s Centre.
“All three are hugely grateful for Steve’s kindness, and the money raised from auctioning the shirt will help fund the very important work they do for Brighton and Hove, where Steve remains an inspiration for a new generation of athletes. Charlie Grice, an outstanding young middle distance runner from Brighton’s Phoenix AC names Steve as his inspiration. With this act of kindness Steve will inspire the whole city.”
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