top of page
monochrome-portrait-athlete-competing-paralympic-games-championship.jpg
sabrebackgroundnew1.png
Our trustees give voluntarily ensuring that 99% of funds benefit the applicants
We're dedicated to the support of disabled athletes, their dreams and their future in the sport of fencing

About The Trust

so what do we do and who is it for ?

We believe that everyone, regardless of ability, should have the chance to experience the dynamic sport of fencing.


As a dedicated charity, we focus on providing crucial funding and support to disabled individuals who are enthusiastic about fencing.


Whether they are just starting their fencing journey at a local club or are accomplished athletes representing Great Britain on the international stage, we are here to help.


Our commitment lies in ensuring these individuals can continue to be an integral part of the fencing community, receiving the assistance they need to thrive and find joy in every aspect of their fencing experience.

Our Mission

how we support others and why

... to empower disabled fencers, coaches, and paralympic athletes by providing the funding they need to pursue fencing at every level.

 

Whether you're dreaming of winning gold or simply aiming to enjoy fencing in your local club, we are here to support your journey.

We offer help with:

  • Competing in international tournaments.

  • Attending training camps around the globe.

  • Covering costs for fencing and coaching equipment.

  • Supporting necessary training and coaching expenses.

We strive to remove financial barriers and create opportunities for disabled individuals to thrive in the sport they love.

Viv Mills went into the Police Force straight from school in the early 1970's and reached the ranks of Superintendent before she was forced to retire in 1999, as a result of injuries sustained in the course of her duties. Viv's voluntary contribution to life is extensive and includes expedition work in Belize, Botswana, Guyana, Uganda and Kenya, working with young people on behalf of Unicef, Operation Raleigh and Raleigh International, the Red Cross and other local charities. She became a volunteer for the Princes Trust (now The King’s Trust) in1988, and worked as an assessor for the charity for nearly 30 years. Wheelchair Fencing After a considerable period of recovery following her injury, Viv took up wheelchair fencing at the tender age of 54, becoming British champion at women's sabre in her first year and retaining the title for the next two years. She selected to fence for Great Britain and went on to represent her county for three years, winning a bronze medal in women's foil at Montreal in 2010, and bronze medal in women's sabre at Hong Kong in 2012. After Hong Kong Cup Viv retired as an international athlete, but she retrained as a fencing coach and a development coach, and joined the coaching staff of the GB squad, as a volunteer. In addition to her work with the national squad, Viv was appointed as an Ambassador for the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWASF), with the task of expanding wheelchair fencing worldwide. She was also appointed to the Board of England Fencing and by combining an influence in both organisations, managed to play a major part in the introduction of wheelchair fencing into the Commonwealth Fencing Championships.

How It Began

Why The Trust was formed

How To Apply

How The Process Works

Application and Assessment
 
Completed applications are reviewed by an assessor, with decisions typically made within 28 days. Assessors meet regularly to evaluate outstanding applications.

Eligibility criteria for applicants: 

  • Reside in the UK.

  • Have a disability.

  • Has an active interest in fencing, actively participating,
    competing, or coaching.

 
Approval Process
Funding is a partial contribution towards projects and is capped per applicant.
Applicants must outline how remaining costs will be met.
All decisions are made collectively.

Our Trustees

The People Who Make It All Possible

The trustees of the Sabre Trust play a vital role in overseeing the charity's operations and ensuring its mission is fulfilled. The team includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise.

Viv Mills

115958384_10.jpg

Our founder. Viv is a former international athlete, winning two bronze medals (foil & sabre), and when Great Britain lost its funding after the 2012 Olympics, Viv decided to cash in her own savings and set up the Sabre Trust. The mission is to enable disabled fencers to take up the sport and benefit from financial and logistical support. Viv is still involved with the sport and actively coaches grassroots and club-standard fencers.

william porter

Billy-Porter.jpg

Billy has recently retired from a career in the Aerospace industry having attained a Master of Science degree in Quality Management/Product Assurance and acheived Member of the Chartered Institute of Quality Assurance. He is a retired Owner/Director of his Quality Consulting Limited Company. Billy is the most recent appointed Trustee having joined the team in 2019. He has been involved in fund raising for charities since the 1980's and has held various roles such as:- Employer's Joint Coordinator for Save the Children.; Executive Board Member for his local Scouts Association; Chairman for both his local school's PTA & employer's Sports & Social club. He is thrilled to add to his portfolio the role of Trustee and volunteer assessor for The Sabre Trust. Billy says he has no experience in Wheelchair fencing. However he has supported young people and adults enabling them develop to their full potential through funding, mentoring, coaching and training.

Phillipa Farmer

IMG_1272.jpg

Phillipa has recently retired after 25 year as a careers adviser in mainstream and special schools. The experience she gained in her career has provided the ideal skill base for her volunteering. Phillipa has been a volunteer with The Prince's Trust for over 25 years and for 10 years was the Chairman of the Sussex Development Awards panel, providing guidance and leadership during several periods of change and financial difficulty.  Phillipa has now also taken the Chairmanship of the new Sabre Trust. As well as being Chairman she is a Trustee and volunteer assessor.

kevin masters

kevin.jpg

Kevin has been a volunteer with the Prince's Trust since 1986, first in London, and then with Sussex since 1990. For many years he steered the Sound Live programme in Sussex. He has been the Vice Chairman of Sussex Development Awards panel for the last 10 years. During the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics he was a volunteer Games Maker. With his intimate knowledge of the East End of London he had the privilege of chauffeuring the various international sports ambassadors around the many Olympic venues. Last year he volunteered for the 'January to March' project, providing breakfasts for the homeless. This year he is doing it again. Kevin is now the Vice Chairman of The Sabre Trust, Treasurer, Trustee and volunteer assessor.

kat moon

kat.jpeg

Kat currently works for local government but her previous roles were in the caring and support fields. Kat has many years experience as a volunteer, and for the last 10 year she has been a volunteer with The Prince's Trust, initially as a mentor, but latterly as a volunteer assessor for Development Awards.  Kat states she loves working with people of all ages, but the joys and challenges that come from working young people are where her heart really lies. Kat goes on to say that her fellow Prince's Trust colleagues have become firm friends. When Viv proposed to form The Sabre Trust she was honoured to become a Trustee. She has met some of the young fencers... "their energy and determination is inspirational and it is brilliant to be involved in an organisation that wishes to help them reach their full potential. It is also thrilling to know that these young fencers could well be the Paralympic medallists".

guy blundell

guyprofileshot.png

Collapsible text is perfect for longer content like paragraphs and descriptions. It's a great way to give people more information while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, including an external website or a different page. You can set your text box to expand and collapse when people click, so they can read more or less info.

Dan Smith

IMG_0358.jpeg

Dan represented Great Britain between 2013-18 as a fencer. Passionate about working with disabled youngsters, Dan finds the time to manage a Basketball Club and now to utilise his experience of performing at the very highest level to help young up-and-coming fencers.

Darren Phillips

1000011728.jpg

oan retired a number of years ago after a long career working for a Sussex local authority as the sheltered housing officer. The experience gained in her profession helped Joan with the skills needed for her voluntary work for The Princes Trust, where she is a volunteer assessor for the Sussex Developments Awards panel, and in her 32nd year of service. Joan's other voluntary work is in guiding and scouting, which has occupied her attention for 60 years. Joan has added The Sabre Trust to her 'Volunteer Portfolio' and works as a volunteer assessor.

bottom of page