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Fundraising gets the Betfair treatment as former Olympians hit Trafalgar Square with 2012 in mind

£5,000 given to SportsAid - Betfair's charity of the year - as past and future of British Olympic squad take to the 120m track!

Four of Britain's greatest Olympians were joined in Trafalgar Square by two of the country's brightest stars of the future as Betfair stepped up its promise to raise money for its charity of the year - SportsAid .

Track and field legends Steve Backley, Iwan Thomas and Ashia Hansen plus former swimming champion Karen Pickering took part in a 120m Race to win cash which, through SportsAid, will benefit young athletes.

The four ex-Olympians were joined by 21-year-old 400m starlet Henrietta Kodilinye-Sims and Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun, also 21, a 100m runner, who have both received SportsAid funding as they aim for success at London 2012.

The race was started by MP Kate Hoey, recently appointed by Boris Johnson as Sports Commissioner to the Mayor's Office to advise on the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

£5,000 was up for grabs for the first athlete across the finishing line, with the cash being used to help develop athletes in the winner's particular discipline. Unsurprisingly perhaps, Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun ran out the winner as the ex-Olympians' ages began to show!

SportsAid ambassador Steve Backley said: "I wouldn't say Trafalgar Square is Olympic standard as a running track but events like this get young athletes on the road to Beijing and London 2012.

"SportsAid helped me early in my career and we know how important it is to have the financial support of businesses like Betfair if Britain is going to have continued success on the international stage.

"I just wish I'd managed to win this race - but then I have dodgy hip, so I've got excuse, unlike Iwan Thomas!"

The Betfair-sponsored race, 120m long to reflect the 20% better odds offered by the UK's biggest online betting company, was held at London's iconic Trafalgar Square - the scene of mass celebration when London was named the host city for the 2012 Games back in July 2005.

SportsAid Chief Executive Tim Lawler said: "All of the Olympians here today have benefited from the support of SportsAid funding when they were beginning their journey to the top of their sport.

"At the Beijing Olympics over 160 of the athletes in Team GB have also been helped by us and this trend will continue through to 2012 and beyond. It is great to have our SportsAid alumni here today showing just what can be achieved with a little help and encouragement at the right time.

"Betfair has been one of our biggest supporters over the last couple of years, helping many athletes take a step closer towards achieving their dreams. It is a fantastic partnership which allows us to raise the profile of the charity and the achievements of some of the most inspirational and dedicated young sports people in the country."

Betfair's Andy Lulham said: "The outstanding work of SportsAid plays a crucial role in the development of young and upcoming athletes. As our nominated charity, Betfair is delighted to be able to help SportsAid unearth the next generation of Britain's sporting talent.

"The 120m race asked the competitors to go that little bit further than the traditional 100m Olympic discipline. At Betfair our customers get that bit of extra value too."