ELLIE SOUTTER FOUNDATION AWARDS FIRST GRANT
25th October 2018 | Jane Peel, Chief Reporter
Last modified on February 3rd, 2026
The father of the GB snowboarder who took her own life on her 18th birthday has presented one of her teammates with £6,000.
The money comes from the Ellie Soutter Foundation which Tony Soutter set up in his daughter’s name after her death in France in July.
He handed over a cheque to 17-year-old freestyle snowboarder, Maisie Hill.
The foundation is raising money to support young British winter sports talent who would otherwise be unable to achieve their full potential because of a lack of resources.
The grants will help with equipment, training, travel, competitions and accommodation.
Tony Soutter believes financial and mental health issues contributed to his daughter’s suicide in woods near their home in Les Gets on 25th July.
Ellie and Tony Soutter – photo Tony Soutter
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The official handover of the cheque to Maisie Hill, who’s 17, took place on Friday at the London Ski and Snowboard Show.
After the presentation Hill, who regularly camps in a van with her dad while travelling in Europe to compete, told PlanetSKI that hearing she was to receive the grant was a huge boost and had sorted her whole winter.
Maisie Hill
“I was just so happy. My dad called me up and was just crying on the phone. I just couldn’t believe it. It’s a massive help because he works so hard to get me to where I need to go.”
She said it was particularly special because she was close to Ellie.
“She was my friend and I loved her so much,” she said.
Maisie Hill at The BRITS 2018 – photo MotionStoppers.com
She finished 5th behind Ellie Soutter (3rd) in the snowboard cross at the European Youth Olympics in February 2017.
Earlier, Tony Soutter told us more about the decision to award the grant to Maisie Hill and his hopes for the foundation….
Find out more about The Ellie Soutter Foundation.