A teenager from Redruth who benefited from a grant from the Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Youth is encouraging other youngsters to apply for this year's round of funding.

Prospective Olympian Abi Roberts is an example of how the fund can help support young people from Cornwall in accomplishing great things.

The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Youth - Young and Talented Cornwall - aims to help 18 to 23 year-olds in Cornwall and the IOS who have demonstrated the desire and capability to accomplish great things – in the field of sport, the arts, voluntary service, science or enterprise, amongst other possibilities.

The Cornwall Community Foundation administered fund welcomes applications, the deadline to apply is the 24th of February, the average grant award is £800.

Abi, 17, is a BMX racer, and her aim is to represent GB and Cornwall at the World BMX Championships in Rotterdam.

Her ranking is 9th in the 17+ age group.  She volunteers as a local coach at the Cornwall BMX Club where she is an active member and is dedicated to encouraging young people to get involved with the sport.

The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Youth helped with £650 towards extra training fees and travel expenses to the World Championships in Rotterdam in 2014.

The fund is for those who have demonstrated outstanding and clearly recognised abilities but who are in danger of being held back by personal or family hardship, or disability.

Previous successful grant awards include travel & equipment costs, entry fees, accommodation, kit, suitable clothing and insurance.

Another former grant-winner is Robin Elsey, 22, from Perranarworthal, who was among the major prize winners at the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Annual Prize giving in 2014.

Robin has been helped by Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Youth and he is mindful of the great assistance the fund has given him. 

He is a full time member of the Artemis Squad and is training hard in solo racing with the aim of competing in the Solitaire du Figaro Race in May 2015.  

For more information and to download the application form and guidelines please view the website at www.youngandtalentedcornwall.org/ or contact CCF on 01566 779333.