A TOTAL of 69 talented young athletes from Hillingdon benefited from a £41,050 award pot – thanks to GLL, the charitable social enterprise, in partnership with SportsAid and Hillingdon Council.

Supported athletes represent sports across Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic and Special Olympic sporting disciplines.

Most of the funding is designed to help young developing talent, and 64% of awards are to athletes aged under 21.

These are difficult ages for young athletes, when funding is not easily available and the costs of competition and training are high. Indeed, 86% of recipients receive no other sport funding.

Hillingdon athlete Nigel Levine says the support is supporting his quest to reach even greater heights.

“My aim will be to make the World Championship finals in Beijing and also the Olympics in Rio next year,” he said.

“This award will go towards living costs in London and warm weather camps, to get ready for the trials for these competitions.”

Hillingdon cyclist Anna Marie Hughes, 17, said: “My aspirations are to reach the best of my potential, progressing up the British Cycling programmes and to represent Great Britain in events such as the Olympics.

“I also want to become a professional rider. The support I receive will help towards my goals.”