EALING Council has accepted a cheque for £2,000 for a scheme to get local youngsters on their BMX bikes.
The cash was presented by GB international sprinter Laura Turner at Ealing Town Hall on April 25 as part of the Help a Capital Child campaign, on behalf of the Balfour Beatty Sport Development Grants and Capital FM.
The BMX project will enable the borough to purchase specialist equipment and deliver extra-curricular BMX coaching sessions in six local schools.
Ealing Council leader Julian Bell said: “This funding will give our local BMX track, which was built in 2012 as a lasting legacy to the Olympic and Paralympic games, a fantastic boost and encourage even more youngsters to take up the sport.”
The funding will also allow Ealing to host trials for the London Youth Games team and take a full team to the BMX finals in June this year.
Laura Turner, former London Youth Games competitor said: "Sports like BMX aren’t really seen that often, but have increased in popularity since the Olympics and it’s really important young people will have the opportunity to train and compete.
"The London Youth Games were like a mini Olympics for me. I competed in athletics and netball for the London borough of Harrow and I had a great time."
Other former participants of the games include the nine gold medal winning Mo Farah and cyclist Bradley Wiggins.
Trials for the London Youth Games will be held at the pump track next to Gurnell Swimming Pool on May 11 between 12pm to 3pm.
For more information contact BenHagreenb@ealing.gov.uk or call 0208 825 6104.
