Cash boost for teenage cyclist

1:36pm Tuesday 4th March 2008

THOMAS Reed's Olympic hopes will be raised still further on Thursday when he receives cheques totalling £500 to help fund his training.

Thomas a 15-year-old-pupil at St James School, Exeter, is ranked fourth in Great Britain at cycle speedway at both under 19 and under 16 level, and is aiming to win the 2009 world junior title in Australia.

Alison Johnson, of British Cycling's Olympic Programmes team, said: "Thomas has been competing successfully as a 14-year-old against under 18 fields, both at national and international level. There is every reason to anticipate his success continuing as he becomes older and stronger."

On Thursday Thomas will receive a cheque for £300 from Sports Aid South West and £200 from Devon County Council through its Gifted and Talented Fund.

Thomas relies predominantly on his family to support him and the costs of competing and training amount to over £2000 a year.

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