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Growing up in the UK care system, Fatima Whitbread spent her first fourteen years in children’s homes, longing for stability and love. She found both in an unexpected place – through sport, and through Margaret Whitbread, the woman who would become her coach and eventually her mother.

Please be aware, this programme contains references to child sexual abuse.

At the children’s home, Fatima had written to Margaret, declaring her dream to be "the best javelin thrower in the world". Years later, she made that a reality with a record-breaking throw at the 1986 European Athletics Championships, followed by gold at the World Championships. She is also a two-time Olympic medalist.

Today, Fatima Whitbread is using her own experiences to campaign for children in care through her charity, Fatima’s UK Campaign.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producers: June Christie & Louise Morris

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

Image: British athlete Fatima Whitbread competing in the javelin event during the Commonwealth Games at the Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Canada, 3rd-12th August 1978. Fatima leaps diagonally across the image, left leg straight, mirroring the javelin she's about to throw, a look of total concentration on her face. (Credit: Tony Duffy/Getty Images)