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Track and field athletes such as Lynn Davies, Keely Hodgkinson, Colin Jackson and Mo Farah have been showcasing their artistic talents by contributing to Fleet’s book project for the charity CRY
Mike Fleet, a former middle-distance international athlete and long-time coach at Croydon Harriers, is leading a unique project to raise money for a charitable cause.
The 86-year-old is gathering hand-drawn sketches from some of the world’s top athletes to create a special book, with all proceeds going to the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
The charity is especially meaningful to Fleet and Croydon Harriers after two members of the club tragically passed away from undiagnosed conditions, and Fleet’s goal is to honour those athletes and to raise funds for the charity.
His connection to athletics runs deep. As an athlete, he finished fifth in the 880 yards final at the 1962 Empire Games, a race famously won by Peter Snell. Since retiring he has remained an influential figure as a coach, photographer and supporter of countless events.
Though he is collecting artwork from athletes across various sports, his main focus has been track and field – his own area of expertise.
Over the past three years, he has secured 85 drawings from big names like Lynn Davies, Keely Hodgkinson, Colin Jackson – and the list goes on.
