Brian Hamill 1937-2020
A long serving trustee of the Weight Lifting Foundation, Brian sadly passed away at the end of 2020 after a short illness. He had tremendous passion for and commitment to both the sport of weightlifting and to the Foundation and he was unstinting in his assistance to young lifters, clubs and schools. This was not just financially through the foundation but also by supporting and encouraging their development. His enthusiasm was infectious and he was instrumental in so many becoming involved in the sport, not least by running the Weightlifting Club in Woking for many years.
Brian stepped down from his position as trustee due to ill health but he remained as our Honorary President, continuing to provide his expertise to the sport he loved. His hard work, passion and dedication will be sorely missed.
Each year we make an award to an individual or group in the under 23 age group who we feel has made an outstanding contribution to their weightlifting club in a way that reflects Brian's example and ethos. This is The Brian Hamill Award.
Donations in Brian's memory to the Weight Lifting Foundation can be made through the Much Loved tribute page:
or by sending a cheque made out to Weight Lifting Foundation to: Neil Binder, 107 Thames Side, Staines, TW18 2HG
Mary Norman
Now retired, my background is in law and business administration. My involvement in weightlifting came about through my son's membership of the Woking Weightlifting Club run by Brian Hamill. Brian was an inspiration and on his retirement from the Fund, I was invited to join as a trustee.
Neil Binder
I am a chemical engineer with business experience, having run several of my own companies across various industries and in three continents.
My father, Hymie Binder, established the Weight Lifting Foundation (then named the Weightlifters Supporters Fund) with Wally Holland in 2001 and I was invited to become a trustee in 2012 after they both stepped down, working alongside Brian Hamill. Previously I served as a vice president of BWL for 4 years from 2007.
Caroline Charles
I have worked in Local Government for 33 years, mainly in human resources. My weightlifting career started in 1988 during which I won five British and seven English titles along with nine GBR international Senior competitions and many World and European Masters titles.
I have a BWL coach and IWF Cat 1 referee’s licence having been selected as TO for the 2012 Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games and many European Senior and Junior Championships as well as World and European Masters Championships.
Previously I was a member of the South East Counties Committee which was then amalgamated to become the London and South East Counties Committee and I am currently a member of the World Masters Weightlifting Committee. I was invited to become a trustee of the WLF (formerly the Weightlifters Supporters Fund) by Brian Hamill after Wally Holland stepped down.