CHIPPENHAM archer Pauline Burfitt is hoping for county help to represent Great Britain at some of the world’s biggest competitions later this year.

Burfitt, 60, who is ranked as a Grand Master Bowman, has been picked to represent her country as part of a four-strong ladies’ compound team at the first stages of the 2013 Archery World Cup, in Shanghai, China, in May and Antalya, Turkey, in June.

She is also hoping to qualify for this year’s World Championships, also in Antalya, in September.

But the self-funded archer, who works full-time as a community resource worker for Wiltshire Council, will have to pay her own way.

She is now on the lookout for sponsors to help her hit the mark on the world stage.

“I’ve been looking in to travel, hotels and everything else that I’m going to need and it’s looking like it’s going to cost me around £1,300 for each event,” said Burfitt, who won two gold medals on her international debut at the European Grand Prix event in Cyprus, in June last year.

“This is the chance to go to some of the best championships there are.

“The World Championships will be the biggest thing that I’ve ever done, if I can get there.

“I’ve always wanted to represent Great Britain at the highest level I can and it’s taken a long time to get here but I’m really excited to have the chance this year.

“I’ve been lucky enough to get a few sponsors for my equipment, and I have their names on my hat and chestguard, but I really need some more sponsorship from anyone that will help.”

Burfitt is a member of Chippenham Archers and will also be looking to qualify for the grand final of the Archery UK national series for the second successive year this season.

Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can find more information on the ‘Targeting the World’ page on chippenhamarchers.org.uk