Role model: Eilish helps 26 young Scots via ‘Giving Back to Track’

Friday 13th June 2025

Inspirational . . . Eilish celebrates that wonderful Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medal in Birmingham (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Giving Back to Track

Eilish McColgan has once again underlined her status as an inspirational role model for athletics in Scotland – by helping the next generation.

Eilish and partner Michael Rimmer funded their ‘Giving Back to Track‘ project a few years ago and it continues to assist athletes.

The latest round of grants has been announced as Eilish commendably uses her status to help others on the pathway.

There was even a situation late on a Friday night recently as she joined our social media channels to give personal encouragement to recipients of ‘Giving Back to Track‘ grants as they raced in the U120/U17 Scottish Champs over 3000m.

‘We set up Giving Back to Track very much with the goal of helping young female Scots who are in the sport,’ said Eilish.

‘We wanted to try and ease the cost burden for competition, travel and kit if we could.

‘The programme is now developing even more with some outside funding coming our way – including from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) – to help us to give out more grants.

‘So for the year ahead, we have been able to help more than two dozen young Scottish athletes and we are seeing a really good spread of clubs and event groups. We’ve tried to keep it varied in terms of events and clubs.

‘Knowing the travel and cost challenges for Scottish athletes living in the Highlands and Islands – trying to compete in Scottish or British Championship events –  we’ve tried to help there as much as we can.

‘It is small gestures but I’d love to think it might encourage as many as possible to remain in our sport.

‘I am always excited to follow the progress and give encouragement where I can – sometimes publicly on social media.’

Eilish herself has given us a breakdown of the programme’s latest good work as follows:

Main Grants:

Kishi Aremu U17 100m (Falkirk Vics)

Grace Malley U17 300m H (Whitemoss AAC)

Eilidh Dallas U17 1500m (Strathearn Harriers)

Zara Redmond U20 1500m (Kilbarchan AAC)

Scarlett Wilson U20 800m (Giffnock North)

+++

Small travel grants:

Holly Whittaker U17 60H (Aberdeen AAC)

Emma McLennan U20 Steeplchase (Giffnock North)

Freya Brown U17 800m/1500m (Lasswade AC)

Charis Crawford U20 PV (Springburn Harriers)

Corri McGougon U17 3000m (Falkirk Vics)

Leanna Elliot U17 HJ and Pentathlon (Cumbernauld AAC)

Victoria Anestik U20 Pentathlon (Falkirk Vics)

Hannah Wallace U23 LJ (Cumbernauld AAC)

Annie McLean U20 400m (Glasgow School of Sport)

Lois Garland SEN 200m (Perth Strathtay Harriers)

Silver Nwabuzor U23 TJ (Glasgow Uni)

Lauren Abbott 400m (Elgin AAC)

Abbie Stewart U20 1500m (Stornoway RAC)

Lois Mcrae U17 800m Inverness Harriers)

Caitlyn Heggie U20 5000m (Inverness/Edi Uni)

Sofia Vidak U23 800m (Falkirk Vics/Stirling Uni

Sofia Vidak and Silver Nwabuzor (photos by Bobby Gavin)

+++

Helping with coaching at one of our school clubs:

Matilda Brockley U20 TJ (Edinburgh AC)

 Two Highland Grants (external fundraising):

Layla Todd (Shetland AAC) and Emily McArthur (Orkney).

Two from Dundee Hawkhill Harriers:

Favour Ugwuocha and Beth Aitchison (hurdles)

+++

Tags: Eilish McColgan

Related Articles

Features

Back in the day: When Eilish beating Liz times seemed, well, fanciful . . .

Monday 28th April

International

Eilish lands Scottish Record and British at London amid marathon magic

Sunday 27th April