KIND-hearted businesses could help create an Olympic champion of the future by sponsoring a nine-year-old Caister girl to pursue her dream of a gymnastics career.

KIND-hearted businesses could help create an Olympic champion of the future by sponsoring a nine-year-old Caister girl to pursue her dream of a gymnastics career.

Currently, Lucy Jarvis' parents Jamie and Clare have to pay nearly £7,000 a year to enable her to train and compete in the sport she loves, but the family needs financial support to enable her to continue, and is appealing to the business community for help.

So far, four companies have come forward to provide sponsorship - Round House Ltd, Global Signs and Engraving Ltd, Arthur Jary and Sons Ltd of Great Yarmouth and Comtel Communications Supplies of Yarmouth.

But more money is needed and the family has pledged any companies providing funds will have their logos included on training garments and could also be able to advertise on the website of Lucy's club, Norfolk Academy of Gymnastics, and at her gym near Attleborough.

Mrs Jarvis said: “I am enquiring to some local companies to try and get some support to enable Lucy to carry on with the sport which she loves and is very dedicated to.

“She is too young to qualify for a sports aid grant and the local council do not offer sponsorship to individuals.

“If any company would be able to sponsor as either a one-off or regular donation, this would be a fantastic help.”

The Caister Junior School pupil, who lives at Hanly Court, has to make a 70-mile round trip five days a week to train at the gym for 18 hours a week during term time. During the school holidays she trains every day for 35 hours a week.

In addition to the petrol costs involved in trips, her parents also have to pay for her to participate in nine competitions annually, which include £270 entry fees and £603 for accommodation.

Further money is needed for training equipment, leotards and polo shirts, totalling over £300 annually. Other expenses include an elite summer camp at Ipswich and training costs.

But the expenditure has borne fruit as Lucy is training to elite standard and is currently Norfolk champion in her age group. She is also the first gymnast from Norfolk for many years to secure a place in the East Regional Team.

Mrs Jarvis added: “Obviously I am not asking businesses to pay out thousands of pounds, but a gesture of any amount would be so greatly appreciated and help immensely.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor Lucy can do so by visiting www.tnag.co.uk