ATHLETES from Epsom and Ewell will receive more than £1,000 in financial and training grants to help them achieve their gold medal dreams.

The group of 26 athletes were selected to receive the funding after making an application to GLL Sport Foundation, a not for profit organisation which provides financial assistance to budding sports stars.

Each of the athletes, who compete across 14 Olympics, Paralympic and Deaf Sport disciplines, including athletics and deaf squash, will benefit from funding of up to £1,250 to be spent on training, travel, support services and equipment.

The successful applicants were announced at an event held at the Rainbow Leisure Centre in Epsom on November 11.

The event was attended by Councillor Clive Woodbridge, chairman of Epsom and Ewell Leisure Committee and Pete Bundey, chair of the GLL Sport Foundation. As well as Alexandra Rickham, international athlete and world sailing champion, who is as an ambassador for the foundation.

Cllr Woodbridge, said: “We may be a fairly small borough, but we are big on talent, and it was great to see these young people, who all live in Epsom and Ewell, aiming high in their chosen sports. I am very proud of their achievements so far and am grateful for the support of the council’s leisure partner, GLL through the GLL Sport Foundation in helping them reach their goals.”