Olympic hopefuls receive Ron Pickering Fund cash boost

NEARLY 200 British Olympic hopefuls have been given a boost when they were named as the latest recipients of the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund.

£39,100 has been split between 191 athletes - the majority of which are aged between 15 and 19 - who have shown the capabilities of proving successful in their chosen events.

Among those to collect the annual grant are 20-year-old Forres Harrier 800m starlet Mark Mitchell and Cambridge Harriers' throwing prospect Curtis Griffith-Parker.

Also, middle-distance talents have received their share of support, with Crawley Harriers star Hannah Brooks and City of Norwich hope Mitch Goose on the list.

The charity was launched following the death of the well-known broadcaster, coach and teacher and his widow Jean is now heavily involved in the fund, which is now in its tenth year.

"During this time more than £350,000 has been given out to approximately 700 young athletes," said Jean.  

"It has become an established element in the support of young talented athletes and it is very satisfying to see more and more of these young athletes being selected for international teams at all levels."

Of the 67 track and field athletes that represented Britain at the Beijing Olympics last year, 52 received support from the fund in the earlier years of their careers.