Aspiring athletes across Cumbria are urged to apply for funding to help them achieve their sporting dreams.
Applications are open for the GLL Sport Foundation and awards include financial bursaries, free access to gyms, pools and other sports facilities, physiotherapy, lifestyle mentoring and mental health wellbeing support.
Now in its 18th year, £2m of bursaries and in kind support is available across the UK for 2026.
In 2025, 102 people aged eight to 69 from Cumbria secured awards through the programme totalling £70,000.
They included Henrietta Colbourn, of Eden, who is a British professional road racing cyclist who in 2025 gained a number of international top 10 results.
In 2022, she secured third place on stage 7 of the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardéche.
She trains at Appleby Leisure Centre.
Henrietta said: “Support from the GSF Award is essential to completing off-the-bike body conditioning including interval, strength and stability training to help gain power and prevent injury.
“Training these areas is a necessity for my success. I aspire to race at World Tour level and perform at the highest level in cycling.
“In 2024 I was diagnosed with a disc hernia which is maintained with a strict physio routine and gaining access to Appleby Leisure Centre is essential for this.”
The GSF Awards support a range of disciplines in Cumbria including BMX racing, rhythmic gymnastics, cricket, tennis, bowls, golf, trampolining, marathon running, taekwondo, cycling, swimming, skiing, triathlon and para-athletics.
The innovative sports programme has for nearly two decades proved a popular and essential support programme for athletes battling the high costs of training, travel and equipment needed for their sporting journey.
All successful applicants will be given access to the 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its Better brand.
Applications are open until February 20.
For more information, visit www.gllsportfoundation.org
