Louise’s Legacy – The LouLou Race Foundation

In memory of our co-founder, Louise Bracken-Smith, the LouLou Race Foundation has been set up by her husband Peter. As CEO of Fairway Group, Louise was a very successful and respected business-woman, considered by many as a trailblazer, who played a leading role in the evolution and growth of Fairway, shaping it to what it is today. With the LouLou Race Foundation being a charity so close to our hearts, Fairway are proud to be the Qualified Member and Guardian of the Foundation and support the work the Foundation is doing to ensure Louise's legacy lives on. 

Louise's career began in the international finance sector and in 2000 Fairway Trust Limited was set up. Louise fearlessly dived into the Private Client world, becoming one of the few women to hold such a senior position in the financial services sector at this time. She even secured an international record (at the time) for completing her STEP qualification in only eight months. Louise became recognised for her strong leadership and enthusiasm, not only in her professional career, but in the various corners of her community. One of these corners, was in sports, of which Louise was the ultimate all-rounder and talented sportswoman. In light of this, in her forties, Louise discovered a newfound enthusiasm and passion for triathlon, fittingly combining her love for swimming, cycling and running. It sparked an enjoyment and dedication that would lead her to represent Ireland in the veteran age group at the 2019 Triathlon World Championships.

To honour Louise’s love for sports, community and her ambition to inspire others, the LouLou Race Foundation supports and encourages young people in their sports aspirations and training. The Foundation carries forward the ripple of contagious positivity that Louise created in all her communities. The programme is open to young people of all ages, solo and team sports, and will help fund the costs of kit, equipment and travel for those who cannot fund it. With a goal to get young people engaged in sports in their community, it hopes to spread the power and values that sport can provide, physically, mentally and socially, that Louise strongly championed. It aims to focus on groups that may have less access and opportunities to sport, promoting sporting participation to all young people. 

The Foundation hopes to invoke Louise’s motto ‘be the best you can be’ in young athletes, as Louise believed you should always try your best, no matter if you fail, whether that be in your sporting efforts or acts of kindness. Even in Louise’s battle with cancer, she never backed down and her caring and vibrant spirit, resilience and competitive mentality always shone through. Louise discussed her story in a podcast with her brother, Kyran Bracken, ‘Kicking cancer into touch’, exploring her personal journey with cancer, navigating diagnosis and treatments and digging deep to find mental strength in fighting cancer.

Louise had a few core mantras she lived by and shared in her roles as a mum, wife, friend, business leader and teammate. One piece of powerful advice Louise lived by and passed on was to ‘focus on what could go right rather than everything that could go wrong’, perfectly encapsulating the positive and infectious mindset she had, which is carried in spirit through those who loved her, her inspiring legacy and those who may reach or discover their sporting aspirations through support of the Foundation. The Foundation honours Louise and continues to keep alive the touching impact she had in her passion for wellbeing and sports, living life to the fullest and empowering those around her. 

To learn more about Louise and the inspiring work the Foundation is doing in her legacy, the ways you can support or get involved, please click here for the LouLou Race Foundation Website.