Sir Mo Farah sends message of hope to Kent youth

Sir Mo Farah spoke about the struggles he faced before he achieved his dreams

Four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah has sent a positive message of encouragement to students at an event held about mental well-being and the pursuit of dreams.

The 41-year-old long-distance runner was speaking via video message at the event in Kent on Thursday, which was attended by several other top British athletes.

Sir Mo told the children he faced struggles growing up and urged them to “work hard and believe in yourself”.

The event, held at the Stour Centre in Ashford, also included appearances from sprinter Victoria Ohuruogu, long-jumper Ryan Raghoo, and swimmer Callie-Ann Warrington.

In a series of talks and workshops, the students were given coping mechanisms and tips on how to look out for each other.

One boy said he “learnt who to speak to and how to speak about it” while another child said she was taught “how to deal with stress and how it can really affect you”.

Ohuruogu, who spoke at the event, told the BBC building a good support network was "super beneficial"

Olympic sprinter Ohuruogu told the BBC: “Finding a network can be super beneficial whether that is training partners, people you might run with, or people you go to college with.”

Event organiser Emily Philips, of Freedom Leisure, said she messaged “so many athletes” on social media and “couldn’t believe it" when "Mo Farah come back with his little blue tick".

'Everything is possible'

Sir Mo was brought to the UK illegally as a child and forced to work as a domestic servant.

He previously said: "You can only block it out for so long."

In the video message, he said: “I honestly think everything is possible in life if you work hard.

“For many years I struggled, but was lucky enough to have my family who supported me, who stood by and heard my story.

“Whatever you guys do, believe in yourself and keep working hard.”

Another speaker at the event, Paralympian Ryan Raghoo, who was born with cerebral palsy, told the BBC he had been through his “fair share of struggles”.

The long-jumper said: “Embrace the struggle – not every day is going to be a good day, but there is some piece of good in every day.”

Paralympian Ryan Raghoo, who spoke to children at the event, was born with cerebral palsy