THE Wiltshire Times is joining forces with Wiltshire charity Bag4Sport Foundation to boost the blossoming sporting careers of more youngsters in the west of the county.

Following the success of last year’s Stars of Tomorrow initiative run by our sister paper, the Gazette & Herald, we need readers’ help to identify emerging sporting talent in Trowbridge, Westbury, Melksham, Bradford on Avon and Warminster who need a financial boost.

Grants of £500 will go to two winners and £100 to two runners-up.

The winners are likely to be youngsters who have already stated to make their mark on their chosen sport but could do with a financial boost to help with coaching, kit or travelling costs to competitions.

You can nominate your own child, a pupil you teach or a youngster you coach but we will need to know why they need help and their achievements to date.

Any youngster up to the age of 16 can be nominated but they must not already be receiving a grant from the Lottery or their sporting body.

We will pick two winners and two runners-up from different towns in the Wiltshire Times circulation area.

Bag4Sport Foundation, which is based in Devizes, raises money to help grass root sport and talented individuals reach their potential.

Andy Trusler, director of Bag4Sport, said: “Last year we were delighted to be able to make a real difference to six young sports stars.

“All of them had stories to tell of how their families had made sacrifices of time and money to make their sporting dreams a reality.

“They have kept in touch with us to let us know what they have spent their grants on and how they have really helped them.

“Now we want to find young people in the west Wiltshire area who are equally deserving and we need readers of the Wiltshire Times to help us.”

More information is available on the Bag4Sport website bag4sport.co.uk or the Wiltshire Times website wiltshiretimes.co.uk.

Look out for the nomination form in your Wiltshire Times each week or send an email to foundation@bag4sport.co.uk with your nominations and reasons why. The closing date for nominations is July 31, 2014.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The nominated person must live in the Wiltshire Times circulation area and go to a local school or belong to a club in Wiltshire. They must be aged 16 or under and receive no Lottery funding or grant from their sporting body. Wiltshire Times readers will be asked to vote for two winners from the Wiltshire Times area to receive a grant of £500, with two runners-up receiving £100.

BAG4SPORT Foundation holds a number of fundraising events every year and need support for a number of challenges happening this summer.

The first event is a charity golf day at North Wilts Golf Club on May 29. Teams are needed to take part as well as sponsors for holes.

Sponsors are also needed for the Ben Nevis Challenge which Bag4Sport Foundation director Andy Trusler and three other Bag4Sport supporters are taking part in the Ben Nevis Challenge on June 7.

The charity has a few sought after spaces left for the London 10K on July 13.

Keen cyclists can take part in the Devizes to Paris cycle ride, which will leave Devizes on August 2 and arrive in the French capital on August 4.

Events May 29: Charity golf day, North Wilts Golf Club. June 7: Ben Nevil Challenge. July 13: London 10K August 2-4: Devizes to Paris cycle ride.