She may have missed out on SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch award, but rising skeleton star Ashleigh Pittaway insists her desire to achieve her sporting dream burns brighter than ever, especially after speaking with four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah.

The 16-year-old made it down to the final three in the SportsAid One-to-Watch Award category, meaning she was invited to the 40th anniversary SportsBall at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Thursday.

With the charity celebrating the successes of his past and present beneficiaries, and dozens of Olympic and Paralympic medallists in attendance, Pittaway saw the award go to 18-year-old triathlete Alex Yee, but the Munich-based slider – who was congratulated on her achievements by Farah – is confident in her own abilities.

And while she admits the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, may come too soon, her sights are firmly set on Beijing in 2022 and learning from current Olympic champion Lizzy Yarnold, as well 2010 gold medallist Amy Williams and 2006 silver medallist Shelley Rudman.

"Four years past Pyeongchang is a realistic goal for me,” said the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games gold medallist.

“I would be very lucky to be selected for the Olympic squad in 2018, but 2022 is my main goal.

“And it helps that I can always go to the older ones, to Lizzie or Shelley, and ask them questions and they can give me advice all the time, so it's really helpful.”

And while Pittaway may be hoping to continue Team GB’s run of skeleton success in years to come, the slider was thankful for the help of SportsAid - from whom she receives financial backing - for helping her to achieve her dreams.

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The charity fund more than 1,100 talented young athletes in the country every year with their One-to-Watch Award being launched in 2006 and double Olympic medallist Tom Daley being named the inaugural winner.

Six of the ten recipients of the award competed in Rio this summer and Pittaway was just thankful to have been nominated for such a prestigious title.

"It's crazy to have been nominated because there are so many amazing athletes out there, and to be selected in the top three is a great honour, especially as a winter sports athlete in Britain,” she added.

"Equipment for winter sports costs a lot so the money from SportsAid really helps me. Also, the support between people is a help too - when I won an Olympic Youth medal there was somebody at the finish to support me and interview me, it was really helpful.

"SportsAid definitely make a difference. Knowing you have their support behind you, it really helps and motivates you to have people who believe in you.

“It was so cool to be among those Olympians at the SportsBall; a great honour. To be able to talk to them and collect some advice, it's really helpful.”

Farah was on hand to present Yee with the award, and he took the time to congratulate all three nominees, with 18-year-old swimmer Tom Derbyshire making up the trio.

“Ashleigh, Alex and Tom have all had impressive years and did incredibly well to make the top three,” said the four-time Olympic champion.

“Watching the videos of all three young athletes, it is very inspiring and I am honoured to be able to be in the room and give my support to them. They’re very impressive.”

SportsAid’s 40th anniversary SportsBall celebrated the role played by the charity in supporting British sports stars over the last four decades. What will you do to support the next generation of sporting talent? Please visit www.sportsaid.org.uk to find out how you can help.