Hi, my name is Elaine Bennett and I have an amazing son.

Arthur is 15 years old and comes from a small village near Southport in the north west of England. He has recently been accepted into the British Fencing Athlete Development Programme and been selected to fence for the Great Britain cadet squad in Novi Sad, Serbia.

When he was 11 he decided he wanted to take up fencing, as it was something I did as a teenager. Arthur loved it from the word go and was keen to try his first under 12 age group competition. He didn't win but was determined to work hard and couldn't wait for the next one. On one occasion I was unable to take him to his age group competition and he was so disappointed that I agreed enter him for a more difficult Cadet British ranking competition which was held the day before. This was the first step in his quest for British ranking points and his dream to represent his country as a fencer and this year his hard work paid off and he became the Under 15 England Epee Champion.

I have to admit I was a little nervous as I know from experience the cost of equipment, travel and training, and the huge commitment it would take from our whole family, to support him Arthur in his endeavours. Arthur trains in Southport, Ormskirk and Manchester and we do everything we can to help him, because as well as being a committed fencer, Arthur is also a committed older brother and sibling carer to his little sister who has Partial Trisomy 18 and he really deserves the chance to achieve his potential.

I would love to be able to help Arthur to fulfill his dreams, but with potentially 2-3 more international competitions this season, which could cost around £1000 each, and 6-7 in the 25-26 season, this is not financially sustainable for our family. Which is why I am searching for sponsorship for him to help with the cost of travel, equipment and entry fees. Your support would mean everything to me and to Arthur. Many thanks for taking the time to read this.