Longsight’s Saadia Samee experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity at the weekend during the Sainsbury’s British Athletics Championships as she took to the track alongside the UK’s finest.
The 38-year-old works at the Fallowfield branch of Sainsbury’s and led out the country’s finest men’s high jumpers, including eventual British champion Allan Smith, at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium on Sunday.
Samee, who is dry goods team leader, performed her role in front of a capacity crowd and is adamant she won’t be forgetting the experience any time soon.
“It’s been an amazing experience to be chosen as special colleague and to help out at some great event – it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Samee, who was nominated for the honour by her colleagues.
“I felt proud going out there and hopefully I was caught on TV! It’s a great achievement.
“I can’t believe I was out there in front of all those people and that I actually did it – it was amazing.”
Samee was one of almost 50 Sainsbury’s colleagues from across the UK to have led out an event across the three days of the British Championships at the iconic Alexander Stadium.
“I was nominated because I helped a disabled colleague, Mark, who had to move away from his grandmother who was going into care,” she added.
“I try to be a mother figure to him and helped him find a flat, fill out the forms and anything else I could do.
“I’m one of those people that, if someone needs help, I will do it no matter what. He really opened up to me and it’s part of my role, to be there for my colleagues.”
Sainsbury’s is proud to support British Athletics through the Summer Series events and committed to helping young people lead healthier, more active lifestyles. For more information visit www.sainsburys.co.uk/legacy
Images courtesy of Michael Szodi, with thanks.