Note: quotes have been edited for clarity. 

At Blueprint for All we are fortunate to have a community of incredible supporters who go above and beyond to make a difference and donate to our charity. Their dedication means that we can help young people of diverse ethnic heritage reach their full potential in life, by providing access to opportunities in careers, community, and society. 

Meet Esther, who currently works in the architecture industry. Outside of her professional background, Esther always enjoyed sport in school, with a particular favourite being Badminton. Taking her passion to the next level, she took on the challenge and arranged a Badminton Tournament to fundraise for Blueprint for All.  We had the opportunity to sit down with Esther to explore how she came up with these fundraising ideas for charity and what it really means to put together a challenge event. 

Esther’s Beginnings 

Every successful story starts from an idea, and Esther’s motivation behind this event came from a deep desire to make a difference and to create a safe space where community and sport could come together. “As a young professional navigating adulthood, the challenges of balancing work, social life and fitness became very evident. This largened to a wider concern in the lack of outdoor activities available to all, which could strengthen not just my internal bubbles, but could also serve a wider community in a way which also benefits health and wellbeing.”  

Event Progress and Success

Esther mentions the still prevalent effects of Covid-19, and the continued progress we make in finding unique ways of re-fostering community. She says that “Returning to normality for me has meant embracing in-person interactions, re-visiting passions, but also re-prioritising fitness.”  With the size of the group growing, it was still important for Esther that the group remain rooted: “The club served as a space where young Black adults in particular could come together.”  Sports events play a significant role in fostering community connections. A recent study by Sky Sports revealed that approximately 43% of UK young adults have met and interacted with different type of people through sporting events, and one in three have made new friends because of the group they joined. Similarly, Esther mentions “Sport, no matter your skill level, is a great icebreaker – it has a way of making meeting new people less intimidating. The event was a chance to connect with a diverse range of people, and even just a casual conversation with someone can be a reminder that we don’t have to navigate life alone.” 

With rockets in hand a shared mission in mind, the badminton fundraiser quickly took shape. “When we collaborated with SportsDock UEL, we saw an opportunity to expand the event further and increase our fundraising efforts – we donated funds to Blueprint for All who are doing amazing work with the youth. The tournament became a space where people could enjoy sport in a relaxed way while contributing to a meaningful cause” she says.  Friends, family, and even strangers signed up to play, donate, or help behind the scenes. What started as an idea, quickly became reality, proving just how powerful a shared cause can be. How to have a successful fundraiser? Following the success of the first badminton fundraiser, it didn’t take long for the second badminton tournament to take place on Saturday 21st December 2024. “The tournament was incredible – we were able to book out a sports arena and we had over 60+ people attend! It’s incredible to see the growth from our first which was with about 20 people.” Esther continued, “We were able to donate again to Blueprint for All and we’re so grateful to have been able to give back in this way.” 

One of the most beautiful aspects of the fundraising event was the sense of community it encouraged. The fundraiser brought together a diverse group of individuals from different backgrounds, ages, and experiences, all driven by the same passion and cause. “Diversity in sport helps different communities learn how to communicate and connect with one another, creating a foundation for understanding and building relationships that extend beyond the court. It’s not just about bringing our own communities together; it can also inspire others to do the same and foster a sense of unity across different groups,” Esther mentions. As the event continued, it was clear that the true power of the day wasn’t just in the badminton matches played or the funds raised, but also in the connections made. There was an undeniable spirit of collaboration and support, proving that when people come together with a collective goal, anything is possible. “Badminton, as a sport, doesn’t get much visibility, especially within the Black and Brown communities. So, seeing so many young adults, rackets in hand, casually playing and enjoying the sport was a real eye-opener for many. It’s amazing to know that TKC has helped raise the profile of badminton in London-not just as a fun, laid-back activity, but to foster a sense of community and belonging. The positive energy was contagious, and people either wished they had been part of it or were inspired to get involved”. 

When asked about her wish to give back, Esther mentions: “Whilst still a small ‘family sized’ club, the fundamental aim remains the same – to serve the Black community through Badminton. As someone who used to work as a tutor for children in KS1 and KS2, I am keen to support Blueprint for All which shares in this vision, particularly regarding young Black children. The laughs and jokes we share on the court are just one reminder that we were all once kids ourselves and it would be an honour to celebrate an organisation which represents people who look like us.” 

How to Share Your Passion Effectively? 

The success of this fundraiser event is evidence to what can happen when passion meets purpose. Esther believes that everyone can succeed with a clear goal in mind, stating, “My advice to anyone looking to organize their own tournament is to always keep your “why” at the forefront and stay true to it. The numbers and support may vary, but authenticity makes a lasting impact. So, no matter who’s watching, put your heart into it and pour love into everything you do.”  

We are so grateful to Esther for taking on this challenge and sharing her passion for our work. Donations like Esther’s help us inspire young people to succeed in the careers of their choice, giving them the opportunity and support to flourish in a society that recognises and values them. 

Inspired to make a difference? If you are interested in taking part in a challenge event on behalf of Blueprint for All, please have a look through our fundraising pack or contact our team at fundraising@blueprintforall.org. 

Want to see more highlights from the event? Check out TKC on Instagram, TikTok , or Email.

A special thank you to @scenesbyant and @snyavisuals for capturing the amazing moments from the event.