Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards warmed the hearts of millions around the globe with his exploits at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

The ski jumper from Cheltenham was on the front page of pretty much every national newspaper in this country and beyond as, against all odds, he went shoulder to shoulder with the big boys from Switzerland, France, Austria and the like in one of the very toughest of sporting events.

He survived to tell the tale, of course, and the good news is that he is still warming hearts today because he is doing his bit to help some of the more talented youngsters in Gloucestershire realise their sporting dreams.

That’s because Eddie, now 55 and living in South Woodchester just outside Stroud, is patron of CASS & Friends, the charity dedicated to helping athletes aged 12 to 18 living in and around the Cotswolds reach the top in their particular sport by offering them financial support.

There was no such support for Eddie, of course, when he was pursuing his sporting dream.

His is a well told story – it was made into a film in 2016 – and is one of determination, single-mindedness and a burning desire to prove all the doubters wrong.

He had no money, little support and little training as he chased his dream of representing Great Britain in the 1988 Winter Olympics. He was forced to sleep rough at times while on other occasions he didn’t know where his next meal was coming from.

But Eddie just wouldn’t give up and to his everlasting credit he proved that dreams do come true by competing in both the 70 and 90 metres ski jumping in Canada.

He finished last in both but for Eddie the achievement was just being able to take part, something that is still recognised by the vast majority of people today.

“It made me the character I am today,” he said. “I just never gave up.”

But although very proud of what he achieved, he admits that he wishes he had been able to call on a bit more support back in the day, however small.

“Yes, I do,” he said. “That’s why I was so pleased to be asked to be involved in CASS & Friends. Every little bit helps, whether it be money for new equipment or petrol money so that you can compete in a tournament.”

CASS & Friends was founded by Fiona Carter in 2015 – it became a charity in 2017 – and is so-called because the first athlete they backed was Casarena Ferreira, a triathlete.

They are now supporting some 14 athletes, including a trampolinist, footballer and a cyclist.

Fiona, a Great Britain age group duathlete who lives near Broadway, told The Local Answer that they are looking for athletes with “attitude, grit, determination and a passion for sport” which were all attributes that Eddie had in spades back in the day of course.

These days Eddie is delighted just to be able to do his bit. He also does quite a lot of promotional work for SportsAid, the national charity that supports talented young athletes, and also gets booked for a number of motivational speaking engagements.

But when time allows the one-time plasterer enjoys renovating the house in South Woodchester he moved into some four years ago.

And now that the dark nights are drawing in, he’ll also spend time at the Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre in Matson, saying: “I still love to ski.”

He also has another passion which may come as a surprise to some.

“I love to dance,” he said. “I love modern jive. I do it in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bristol, all over. I do it for the social and to keep fit, I’ve always been fit.”

Indeed he has and he’s certainly happy to put his best foot with CASS & Friends to support the county’s next generation of talented sporting youngsters.