Clear Minds & Clear Financial Advice are thrilled to be sponsoring Donna Smith, The Open Pool Champion and part of the Scottish National Team.
Donna is a person who has encountered numerous and various traumatic situations throughout her life. As is common for people who face trauma of different kinds, she learned to stay safe by using defence mechanisms which were the only ones available to her but were not healthy for her.
Donna suffered from extreme PTSD amongst other things and this, together with other defences, left her fighting with internal and external demons on a daily, or hourly basis.
As is sometimes the case, she also developed a tenacity, bravery and incredible ability to stay alive and to keep fighting for a healthy sense of herself and of a way of living.
Donna was able to access long term therapy at very reduced rate, which made it possible for her to stay with the same therapist until her work was done. Playing pool has been part of her healthy coping approaches and it has helped her enormously to develop her “new” sense of self. She is a confident, intelligent, assured, relaxed, present, capable woman. Donna is clear that without financial assistance, she would not have been able to maintain her therapy as long as was necessary and would not have the freedom in life she has now.
“The year ahead is shaping up to be an exciting one, and I can’t wait to get started!
First up is the European Championship in Malta in February, where I’ll be representing Team Scotland as part of the A team—a milestone I’m incredibly proud to have achieved.
Following that, I have four Scotland Tour events lined up throughout the year. I’ll be aiming to defend my Scottish Open title, chase down some of the other major titles, and put in strong performances in the tour events.
Later in the year, the World Championships will take place in Ireland. Securing a spot on the Worlds team is a huge goal of mine, but I know it’s going to take hard work and consistent results in the tour events to earn my place. On top of that, I’ll also be playing for the East Yorkshire Ladies County Team this year. I’m thrilled to be part of such a talented group of players from the north and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together as a team.
Here’s to a year full of challenges, opportunities, and (hopefully) success!”
Donna Smith
We will be following Donna’s progress and giving regular updates on this page.
Clear Minds and Clear Financial Advice are proud to be sponsoring Donna and we wish her every success in her playing in 2025.
If you would like to donate to Clear Minds so that other people can have the opportunity of accessing the long term therapy they need please follow the JustGiving link.