SPORT: Bag a sporting starlet a boost (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SPORT: Bag a sporting starlet a boost

12:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport

The Gazette & Herald is joining forces with Devizes-based charity Bag4Sport to help the legacy of the 2012 Olympics really mean something in Wiltshire.

Bag4Sport Foundation raises money to help grass root sport and talented individuals reach their potential.

We need your help to identify youngsters who need a financial boost to make the most of their sporting talent. They need to be an emerging talent who has already stated to make their mark on their chosen sport but could do with a financial boost to help with coaching, kit or travelling costs to competitions.

You can nominate your own child, a pupil you teach or a youngster you coach, but we will need to know why they need help and their achievements to date.

Any youngster up to the age of 16 can be nominated but they must not already be receiving a grant from the Lottery or their sporting body.

We will pick one from each of the Gazette’s three edition areas – Devizes, Marlborough and North Wiltshire to receive a grant of £500 each.

Andy Trusler, director of Bag4Sport said: “A lot was said in the wake of the Olympics about a sporting legacy.

“But the fact is that many sports receive little or no Lottery funding and many youngsters depend entirely on their family to pay for coaching, equipment and transport.

“We really want to help those who are struggling to make ends meet so they can make the most of their potential.”

The charity has already given grants to Devizes teenagers Jemima Duxberry and Rhianna Andrew and Paralympic swimmer Stephanie Millward, who has now become an ambassador for Bag4Sport and is helping to spread the word about the charity’s work.

She said: “I think it is doing a fantastic job raising money for sport and encouraging youngsters to take part.”

We also need your help to support Bag4Sport events that are being held throughout the year (see panel) and to hold your own fundraising event.

If you are involved with a school or sports club you can also take part in textile re-cycling to help the cause.

The more money raised by the Gazette appeal the more money will be available to pay out in grants to the youngsters chosen by you and other grass sport initiatives.

More information is available on the Bag4Sport website bag4sport.co.uk or the Gazette website gazetteandherald.co.uk or email mail@bag4sport.co.uk