Our Inspiring Entrepreneurial People
Fundraising Experts
Netball Club Committee
Freya Stevenson, Chloe McElrea and Emily Blair have shown what’s possible when sport, community and purpose come together.
Through collaborative leadership, open communication, and a strong sense of purpose, they have led the Strathclyde netball team in an inspiring fundraising effort, donating nearly £10,000 to the Anthony Nolan charity in 2024-25, and helping to register over 250 potential stem cell donors.
Q&A
Q: What was the club’s main fundraising activity this year?
Chloe McElrea (Fundraising & Events Coordinator):
Our Steps for Stem Cells Walk was the main one. It took place in March and raised over £7,500. All funds went to the Anthony Nolan charity, supporting their stem cell register. That challenge brought the whole club together. It was deeply personal – one of our alumni had lost her mum (to cancer) – so walking with her family made it even more meaningful.
Q: What skill has been important throughout this experience?
Emily Blair (Wellbeing & Protection Officer):
Something that has really important to us is communication. Following on from last year, we felt that setting a target for £25 per member was actually quite forward-thinking. Being able to communicate across the group chats every day, asking who had donated, so that we could tick it off on our spreadsheet, was a persistent reminder for the people in the club that the fundraising was carrying on and helped us to get more people involved.
Q: What’s been the key to the club’s overall success?
Freya Stevenson (Club President):
Our key enabler of success this year has been collaboration. Coming together for the common goal of netball has allowed us to build something bigger, a space where we can also make a wider impact on the world.
Does the team’s story inspire you? You can help the Club Committee members receive our Inspiring Entrepreneurial Strathclyder 2025 award, by taking part in our public vote.