A DORSET Community Foundation fund that has helped dozens of gifted young sports people overcome financial barriers and fulfill their promise is open again for applications.
The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Young and Talented, which is also supported by Wimborne engineering company Superior Seals, awards grants of up to £1,000 towards costs that might prevent youngsters from making the most of their natural ability – such as buying kit and clothing or helping to cover the cost of competition entry fees, coaching, travel and accommodation.
The fund, now in its ninth year, has so far awarded almost £70,000 to 75 young people, including Olympic 100m butterfly swimmer Jacob Peters from Poole, who was a recipient early in his career.
Applications are open from February 24 to April 7 and applicants must be aged 14 to 21, have a home address in Dorset and an exceptional sporting talent which has been recognised or acknowledged by the appropriate national governing body or equivalent.
They must be also able to demonstrate that they are unable to achieve their ambitions without help due to financial or personal circumstance.
Last year the fund, set up with the foundation by Dorset Lord-Lieutenant Michael Dooley, awarded £11,000 worth of grants to 15 young people. Among them was Paralympic swimmer Harry Stewart, 21, of Bridport, who was awarded £1,000 towards his training costs.
He competed in the 100m breaststroke at last year’s Paris Paralympics. “I was so pleased to get the grant because it helped me massively,” said Harry.
Finding the money has been a real worry but the grant is a big help, it will make a huge difference
Molly Cartwright-Tickle, 16, of Poole, has used a £1,000 grant to help set a course to compete in one of the Olympic Games’ newest events, the Beach Sprint. The grant paid for new rowing blades, coaching and race entry fees.
“Finding the money has been a real worry but the grant is a big help, it will make a huge difference,” said her mum Charlotte.
Downhill mountain bike racer Reed Darley, 14, of Ferndown, has set his sights on representing his country in World Cup races around the globe in the hair-raising sport that involves hurtling down mountain sides at more than 40mph.
The Ferndown Middle School pupil and parents Louisa and Mark used the grant to help towards a new specialist downhill racing bike, which will cost more than £2,000, as well as travel, entry fees, clothing and equipment.
He said: “It’s amazing and it made a lot of difference because it helped my mum and dad pay off the new downhill bike for me and also paid for more tyres and race entries.”
Dorset Community Foundation Chief Executive Grant Robson said: “Thanks to the support from Superior Seals and Michael, the fund has been a springboard for some incredibly gifted young people to take their talent further through better coaching, more competitive opportunities and wider recognition.
“We are really looking forward to meeting the next generation of sporting talent and helping them break through the financial barriers that are holding them back.”
Full details of eligibility and how to apply can be found here.
