FOUR of Basingstoke’s young sporting stars have received a boost thanks to the town’s Newbury Building Society team.

The mutual building society, which has a branch in Festival Place, is the first to donate funds to Basingstoke Sports Council for an initiative that is tentatively being called Basing-stoke Businesses Supporting Sporting Talent.

The three-year commitment was agreed following the Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards, which was attended by members of the building society team earlier this year.

Basingstoke Local Sports Council chairman Kevin Laing is delighted with the support and he hopes many more local businesess will show their commitment to local up-and-coming sports people.

Kevin said: “The aim is to create a fund administered by Basingstoke Local Sports Council, which will make allocations where required to relevant sportsmen and women meeting certain criteria.”

“The funding is targeted at those individuals who are having difficulties funding kit, training, medical expenses, travel and competition, and could potentially be lost to the sport if not supported.”

The first to benefit from the initiative are sprinters Myles Richardson, 16, and his brother Owen Richardson, 14, ice skater Danielle Harrison, 13, and karate champion James Feighery-Murphy, 17.

“All four have difficulties funding their sport, but they have tremendous commitment to achieve excellent results and are part of national squads,” explained Kevin.

“And they show strong possibilities in their long-term targets of representing Great Britain for world championships and even future Olympic Games.”

He said the scheme complements the existing annual sports grant aid allocated by the borough council, which is also administered by the Sports Council.

Kevin said: “Athletes work very hard alongside school, college and work commitments, and support, however large or small, is greatly appreciated.

“Athletes’ profiles can be supplied so that companies can see who they are supporting and updates on performance can be provided.”

Diane Long, Newbury’s Basing-stoke business manager, said: “Newbury Building Society is committed to supporting our local athletes financially to allow them to continue to participate, develop and succeed in sport.

“It was fantastic to meet Danielle, James, Myles and Owen at the Basingstoke branch, and I look forward to receiving regular updates on their achievements.”

l Any business wishing to contribute either as a one-off or on a regular basis should contact Basingstoke Sports Council by emailing basingstokelsc@btinternet.com.