Applications are invited from pupils of any Cockermouth schools who would like financial support with their sports training and education.

Set up in 1981 in memory of a Cockermouth Grammar School sports teacher, the Derek Thompson Trust Fund makes sports awards each year to pupils of Cockermouth schools. It has distributed about £22,000 to date.

Previous recipients of the grants were English cricket captain Ben Stokes and top swimmers Luke and Sam Greenbank. 

In recent years the total amount distributed to local sporting youngsters has averaged around £1,000. Twenty three budding sportspeople, covering a varied range of activities,  were awarded grants last year.

Applicants should be sent before April 30 to trust fund secretary Jack Abernethy at 74 Woodville Park, Cockermouth CA13 0GW or jackabernethy1946@sky.com.

The trustees will also be awarding the Derek Thompson Merit Cup for the most out-standing achievement made by one of the 2022 award winners. Details of these achievements should also be sent to the secretary.