What does it take to turn childhood adversity into strength, purpose and lasting social impact? How can sport, mentoring and the intervention of just one trusted adult change the trajectory of a young person’s life? And what responsibility do individuals, businesses and communities have to ensure children leaving the care system are given the opportunity not simply to survive, but to thrive?

In the second part of our deeply personal conversation with Olympic legend Fatima Whitbread MBE, she tells Nicky Regazzoni and George Blizzard about how sport became her escape from the care system, gave her confidence and discipline, and ultimately led her to the family that transformed her life. She recalls discovering javelin, meeting her future adoptive mother Margaret Whitbread and the extraordinary moment when Auntie Ray gave her “permission” to leave the care system behind.

Fatima explains how those experiences shaped the resilience and determination that later took her to the pinnacle of international athletics, and how she now channels those qualities into supporting others. Through the Fatima’s UK Campaign, she is working to create practical pathways for young people in care through sport, arts and technology, collaboration with businesses and public bodies, mentoring and employment opportunities.