A Brigham athlete who thought she was going to miss out on a place in an international event due to lack of funds is over the moon after a Cockermouth group stepped in to help her at the last minute.

Hammer thrower Bethan Lishman plans to take part in the Deaflympics in Turkey in July.

She needed to raise £2,500 by this week to secure her place. Friends and family have been hugely supportive but she was £400 short and felt she had exhausted all sources.

Then she was thrown a lifeline.

Bethan, 33, said: “Cockermouth Round Table came through for me right on deadline day when I thought I was going to have to pull out as I was £400 short of target.

“When I got the text to say they would find the remaining funds I was ecstatic. I actually cried.”

This will be the sportswoman’s third Deaflympics.

“I first competed in 2009. I love the Deaflympics as it’s great seeing so many athletes from around the world and so many events and disciplines,” added Bethan, who is a head gymnastics coach and works in the leisure centres at Workington and Cockermouth.

Neil Banks, of Cockermouth Round Table, said: “I work at Allerdale council and know Beth through Workington Leisure Centre, where I was project manager.

“She texted me and asked if I knew of any funding that might be available.

“I got in touch with the lads at the Round Table and told them about the shortfall she needed to get.

“Everyone was keen to support her, using some of the funds we have raised throughout the year at various events.”

He is delighted that Bethan now has the necessary funds to go to Turkey.

He added: “It’s brilliant. These athletes have to raise the vast majority of money themselves, which is tough.

“We were really pleased to be able to help. Beth does a lot of work with local children. She coaches hundreds of children in Cockermouth and Workington.”