My name is Candy Hawkins and I live in Ashford, Kent. I was born in Luton, and my real name is Cladough Agnes Cupid, but I was called Candy by my adoptive parents.

I am 38 years old and partially deaf; I have been running for 19 years. In my early childhood, I was a sprinter 100m, 200m and long jump. I kept winning races on Sports Day every year when my Dad came down to watch, I was collecting on trophy, then I was selected to represent the National School for the Deaf Championships all over the UK. Since I left college at 18 years old from boarding school in Brighton and back home to Ashford.

I am a member of Ashford Athletics Club and the GB Athletics team. I have competed for GB deaf team since early 1995, I have various medals and a world record for the mile (for the deaf athlete) in 1997 and world record for the 10K at the Julie Rose Stadium in October 2004. In 2005 I broke the British deaf UK record in the 100m hurdles and 2K steeplechase.

In Switzerland, Lausanne in 1995, I won the 800m gold medal and the 400m silver medal despite an ankle injury. In 1996 at the International meeting in Germany, Erfurt double gold medallist both in the 800m and 1500m. These include the World Games for the Deaf in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1997, in which I won gold medals in both the 800m and 1500m (the only British female medallist.) In March 1998 for the European Indoor Championships for the deaf athletes in Dortmund, Germany which I won double gold medal in the 800m and 1500m.

I was injured from 1999 to 2002 and missed the last Deaflympics in Rome 2001 through major operations on my Achilles tendons but I was back in form in May 2003 winning silver medals in both the 800m and 1500m at the Kent Championships held in Ashford at the Julie Rose Stadium, then the European Deaf Athletics Championships in Tallinn, Estonia on July 2003 where I won the gold in the 1500m and silver in the 800m.

On March 2004 at the 2nd European Indoor Deaf Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria I added another silver in the 1500m and bronze in the 800m medals. I was a guest of honour at my former school in Brighton to present the trophies and achievement awards to competitions winners at their Sports day in July 2004.

In January 2005, at the 20th Deaflympics in Melbourne, Australia I won double bronze medals in the 800m and 1500m. (See picture.)

In March 2006, Ladies GB team 4K bronze medal at the 8th European Cross Country Championships for the Deaf in Oeiras, Portugal.

In July 2006, at the British Masters Athletics Federation Championships held in Birmingham for 2 days events run for the 1st time in the ages group Vets. 400m bronze in 62.26 secs and 800m silver in 2 mins 19.39 secs.

In July 2007 this year, European Championships for the deaf in Sofia, Bulgaria, I am very disappointed not to have finished the 800m and 1500m despite the scorching heat around 40 degree. It's the first time I pulled out the race never done before, on the 1st day competition of the 400m came 6th with a season best 62:08. I was disappointed with the gun starter not doing enough experience am in the block to catch the other! 

I have become an ambassador for Active Ashford was set up last year to bring together local organisations in and around the Ashford area to encourage participation in sport and physical activity by forming a partnership network that will benefit the whole community.

Last year (Sep 2009) at the 21st Deaflympics in Taipei, Taiwan for the Deaf, I finished 4th in the 5000m with a new personal best in 19 mins 15. 70 secs by slicing 19 secs off my best.

The next trip is the 9th European Cross Country for the Deaf in Baile Felix, Romania in April 23rd and 24th for the 4K and 8K.

If all goes to plan I will have a place on the team. I am looking for sponsorships towards the cost of competing at this level and will welcome any help that you can give. If your company is interested in sponsoring me either short or long terms please do not hesitate to contact me on the above address.