TWENTY-year-old Jenny Spencer has been involved in competitive kayaking since she was 13 and in 2003 won the bronze medal at the Marathon World Championships in Spain.

She has received support from Ready Steady Win over six years and is grateful for the backing the organisation has given.

"Ready Steady Win is a great idea and has helped me to buy new equipment such as boats and paddles," she explained. "The present cost of a boat is £1,800 and paddles are £170.

"In the future I would like to go on to become Senior World Marathon Champion but, ultimately my goal would be to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games."

Over the years, Jenny has received great support from her parents, Tony and Sue, with Tony acting as her coach from the start.

They, too, have appreciated the support that Ready Steady Win has given.

"The major expense for any athlete living in Herefordshire is the travelling costs to competitions and to national training events," said Tony.

"Any awards made to juniors by the sports foundations or lotteries are very minimal so funding from other sources, in particular Ready Steady Win, is essential."

Jenny, who attended the Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School and Hereford Sixth Form College, is now studying for a graphic design degree at Nottingham's Trent University where she is trying to balance her training alongside her studies.

THE Hereford Times has teamed up with local sports organisation Ready Steady Win to raise £5,000 to help Herefordshire's talented young sports people to sporting success.

Each week we shall be highlighting two young sports people who have benefited from the support of Ready Steady Win.

To support the campaign, contributions can be made (cheques payable to Ready Steady Win) to: Ready Steady Win Hereford Times Campaign, c/o The Leadership Trust Foundation, Weston-under-Penyard, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7YH.