Striving to reach the pinnacle of your sport can be unforgiving. It requires huge personal sacrifice to make it all the way to top, not to mention the sacrifices made by the athletes’ nearest and dearest when they are on that journey.

Talent on its own is not enough. It requires hard work, determination and commitment, and no little luck along the way.

There are also the financial concerns that a family may have to consider as their son or daughter try to become an elite level sportsperson.

Of course there are no guarantees that an athlete will achieve his or her goals, but while the journey can be unforgiving there is a charity that is all about giving, and in so doing is providing those talented athletes with the best possible opportunity to succeed.

CASS & Friends was established in 2015, becoming a charity in 2017, and is dedicated to helping athletes aged 12 to 18 living in and around the Cotswolds to reach the top in their particular sport by offering them financial support.

It was founded by Fiona Carter, who lives in Laverton, near Broadway, a very good athlete herself and someone who has represented Great Britain in age group duathlon.

She is hugely enthusiastic about all sport – as is her husband Nick – so it’s easy to see why she wanted to become involved.

“My kids were being coached by Richard Goode at Goode2Swim in Evesham,” explained Fiona. “Richard competed for Great Britain in triathlon before he was seriously injured when he was out cycling.

“He then started to coach and he told us he had this amazing athlete who was only 14 but needed some financial help if she was to realise her potential.”

The athlete’s name was Casarena Ferreira – hence the name CASS & Friends – and initially Fiona raised money through a couple of small fundraising events in the village, the proceeds of which went to support Casarena.

That was when Mike Deakin, who also lives in Laverton, suggested they should do some proper fundraising and the idea of CASS & Friends was formed, a support scheme for aspiring athletes in the Cotswolds.

“We didn’t want to support just one person,” explained Fiona, “because we were raising quite a bit of money. We held pub suppers, auctions, raffles, quiz nights and fundraising parties. It worked brilliantly.”

And that’s almost an understatement because the charity, which has recently taken East Glos tennis player Olivia Rook under its wing, is now offering support to some half-a-dozen athletes, a number that is set to increase as Fiona is actively looking for three more to come on board.

And if you look at how Casarena has developed over the past four years, it’s clear that the money is having a huge impact.

The charity, whose patron is former Olympic ski jumper Eddie Edwards, has given several thousand pounds to Casarena and adds with obvious pride: “She’s on target for the Olympics in 2024.”

She is currently in the Great Britain junior triathlon squad and Fiona added: “We helped to buy her equipment and helped with her coaching.

“After her GCSEs, she wanted to do her A-levels in Nottingham so that she could work with Great Britain coach Steve Lloyd and train with children of her age so we continued to support her.

“She wants to do a degree in sports management and become a professional triathlete.”

And turning professional is most certainly the aim for those athletes the charity is currently supporting – cyclists Jack Mundinano, Aimee Lane and Tom Barlow, trampolinist Billy Keenan, athlete Rob Worman and tennis player Olivia Rook.

All six, plus Casarena, are primarily individual sports people but Fiona said the charity would be happy to support youngsters who are part of a team sport.

So what does Fiona look for in potential athletes?

“Attitude, grit, determination, a passion for sport,” she said. “Youngsters who have a talent and who, if we don’t support them, won’t progress.”

Fiona is a passionate supporter of all sport.

“It’s about good health and well-being,” she said. “It gives youngsters self-confidence, it’s a point of interest. Both my children play sport and both my husband and I love sport. If I go for a run I feel fantastic.”

And the work that she does for others is certainly fantastic.

When she spoke to The Local Answer, she was planning the charity’s next big fundraising event – the Snowdon Triple Challenge on 10th and 11th May when those taking part will cycle, trek and kayak in a delightful part of North Wales and all for a good cause.

For details on the Snowdon challenge or information on how the charity may be able to help your talented son or daughter – they must be aged 12 to 18 and there are also certain geographic requirements – email Fiona at fiona@cassandfriends.org or visit www.cassandfriends.org