Aberdeen land grant support from Chris Smith Memorial Fund

Thursday 30th December 2021

The Chris Smith Memorial Fund Trustees are delighted to announce that our first grant payment will be made to Aberdeen Amateur Athletics Club (AAAC).

The Trustees were really keen to support AAAC as it was the first athletics club Chris was involved in and was therefore held dear to their hearts.

Chris was a member of AAAC from 1989 to 2000 (aged 12 to 23) and during this time he won medals at the Scottish East District Cross Country Championships at U13, U15, U17, U20 and Senior.

He loved training with and representing AAAC and always spoke so fondly of his time there. He received excellent support from his coaches and teammates, and this set him on the path that led to him to so much success.

AAAC plan to use the grant to ‘jump-start’ their Community Development Programme.

‘The grant from the Chris Smith Memorial Fund will be used to support Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club’s community run, jump, throw sessions for children, supporting positive change in the community through athletics,’ said Club Manager, Brian Pahlmann.

‘The programme introduces children to the sport of athletics in areas of Aberdeen where these opportunities currently do not exist.

‘Children are engaged in a new sport in a fun environment and learn the fundamentals of movement, creating the foundation for an active life, utilising sport to be happier, healthier, and more successful.’

The Chris Smith Memorial Fund Trustees said: ‘We wish Aberdeen AAC all the very best with their programme which sounds just fantastic and we know that Chris would agree.’

Thank you @csmemorialfund for your kind donation to our community athletics programming for children. We will do our best to to honor Chris and make him proud, with our work.#AthleticsForAll @scotathletics @SALDevelopment @clubsportabdn pic.twitter.com/bU7TMqxE6q

— Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club (@AberdeenAAC) December 18, 2021