The Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, Mr Angus Campbell who is behind the fund explained: ‘The Lord-Lieutenant’s Fund was set up to support local young people with a variety of talents and for the first round we will focus on supporting those with sporting talents. My fund will help young people who are particularly financially or socially disadvantaged – it will help ‘level the playing field’ so to speak!’.

The £1,000 grants will pay for things such as kit/clothing costs, competition fees, coaching, travel costs and accommodation. Applicants must have an exceptional sporting talent which has been recognized or acknowledged by the appropriate National Governing Body. As part of the assessment applicants may have to attend an informal interview. The fund will close for applications at noon on 07/02/2017. For more details and to apply, please click here.