SEVEN young athletes have received a welcome boost in the latest round of grants from the Lancashire Rising Star Fund. The talented teenagers, who represent a wide range of sports, have each received £500 to cover costs from everything from travel to training and accommodation to equipment.

Skiers Bethany Widdup and Robert Holden, climber Connor Byrne, footballer Jake Ashworth, judo’s Ashton Lee Whalley, squash player Bradley Smith and swimmer Thomas Gibbs were among 14 sporting hopefuls from across the county who were awarded grants.

They have all been invited to a presentation evening at the University of Central Lancashire in September to celebrate their sporting achievements and present them with their grant.

The next round of funding will be announced later on in the year.

Colne’s Bethany Widdup, who has already competed at junior international level, is aiming to progress through to the Europa Cup to attain seeding points to compete at World Cup level and ultimately represent Great Britain at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

She said: “This money is greatly appreciated as I am currently saving up money to help fund my first full time season. The money will be used towards new equipment, which I have had to buy this year due to new regulations.”

Robert Holden represented Great Britain at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Korea earlier this year and won a gold and two silver medals.

His aim is to continue to improve his skiing while also look to impress in his other sport, golf, and represent Great Brtiain in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles 2014.

While 14-year-old Jake Ashworth, from Burnley, has played Futsal for the North West Regional Partially Sighted Squad for the last two years. His aim is to continue to improve and continue to attend the England Development Squad.

Connor Byrne, 17, from Clitheroe, is among the top young climbers in the country and has already represented Great Brtiain in international events.

He said: “It’s great that my efforts in climbing are being recognised, the grant will be extremely useful in going towards the costs of travelling abroad to compete for Great Britain.”

Ashton-Lee Whalley is a member of Beach Judo Club. The talented youngster has won gold medals in competitions in Holland, Northern Ireland and London and has also medalled at the national, north west and Lancashire Championsips.

Bradley Smith is the highest ranked player in the Under 19s national rankings and has been selected for the England squad for the World Junior Team and Individual Championships in 2014.

Swimmer Thomas Gibbs, also from Chorley, has set his sights on reaching the Commonwealth Games trials.

The 16-year-old held first and second positions in the national rankings in his group for 50m butterfly and qualified for National Championships in 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle.