Regular readers of The Local Answer online will know that we have huge respect for the work done by sporting charity CASS & Friends.

Based in the Cotswolds, Cass & Friends works to help talented youngsters aged 12 to 18 in and around the county to realise their sporting dreams.

The charity, which was formed in 2015, is the brainchild of Fiona Carter and has the support of top names in the world of sport such as Nikki Bartlett and Eddie Edwards. Bartlett, a triathlete, is an ambassador for the charity, while Edwards, a former ski jumper, is the charity’s patron.

Now CASS & Friends have added another big name to their CV because they have teamed up with SportsAid, the charity who do a lot of similar work to CASS & Friends but on a much bigger scale.

“It’s great for us,” Fiona told The Local Answer. “It’s further recognition of what we do. They also help us to find athletes who meet our criteria and would benefit from our support.”

One of the athletes who CASS & Friends is now supporting as a direct result of their tie-up with SportsAid is 14-year-old Tianna Klaric, who is making a big impression in the world of taekwondo.

She goes to Crypt School, she’s very good,” said Fiona. “She’ll go all the way to the Olympics.”

Tianna is one of 15 athletes currently on Cass & Friends’ books, with the athletes covering a wide range of sports including trampolining, boxing, rowing and running.

All 15 receive financial support as well as help with the mental side of sport and advice on nutrition.

All of this has to be paid for of course and fortunately Fiona is a very good fundraiser – her next money-raising event is a cake stall at the Evesham 10K on Sunday 10^th July.

Fiona is also a very decent sportswoman herself and has represented Great Britain in age group duathlon.

And this year is proving a particularly good year for her.

“I won a gold medal at the English standard distance duathlon in Yorkshire in April and qualified to run with an England vest at the 10k at Bourton-on-the-Water at the end of February.” She said. “The actual race is the Bristol 10k in September." 

And she's also just competed in Denmark at the middle distance duathlon world championships.

Competing or supporting, Fiona Carter remains a leader of the pack!