Judo: Tom Reed, the Devizes judo star who is likely to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London, has received backing from an unexpected source.

Reed, of Mayenne Place, who has just turned 23, is to receive £1,000 from Devizes Lions Club after they received a bequest from the widow of their founder.

Noel West, who founded the local club in 1970, died some years ago but his wife, Margaret, only passed away in June 2006.

In her will she left £1,000 to the club of which her husband was the founder and first president.

Jerry King, the current Lions president, said: “We wanted the money to go to one very special project and Tom’s Olympic bid couldn’t be more special.”

Reed, a member of Devizes Budo Club, helps coach youngsters at the club between training sessions at Bath University.

He has recently returned from Tbilisi in Georgia, where he took part in the judo world championships.

He said: “We did a lot better than anyone expected, although not that well. The trouble with judo in this country is that if you don’t win a medal, you get dropped from the team. In other countries, they name the team and stick with them whether they are on form or not. That gives people more confidence.

“I am absolutely delighted with this grant from the Lions Club. Training for the Olympics is a very expensive business and judo is not one of the sports that is heavily supported financially.

“I am hoping to go to train in Japan for six weeks, instead of the two weeks I have spent in previous years. This money will help me a great deal.”

Richard Hopkins, chairman of Devizes Judo Club, said: “We are very grateful to the Lions. We rely on money like this to fill gaps in funding. Tom is a genuine medal hope for 2012, but only if he gets the support he needs.”

King added: “We are always looking for youth projects to support and I would be very grateful to hear of any that to whom we can give a helping hand.”

King can be contacted on (01380) 723830.