Promising Wroxham athlete Ellie Blunt has been given a cash boost to help her career blossom.

Former England cricket captain Chris Cowdrey was the guest speaker – and man tasked with presenting the grant to Ellie – on behalf of SportsAid at their Eastern lunch, held last week.

The programme of lunches, which are sponsored by four Norwich-based businesses – Oneonone communications, Howes Percival, Davis Langdon and Lovewell Blake.

They raise funds for bursaries awarded to young sport starlets from the county who have the potential to go on to national and international success with their equipment and travel expenses.

This year, 13-year-old multi-event athlete Ellie was the beneficiary. She was ranked in the top 20 in the UK last year for seven events and is currently in the top 10 in four. She won two golds and a bronze at the National Sportshall final in the 2008-09 season and has recently broken the UK speed bounce record for all age groups, as an under-13.

Previous SportsAid lunches have attracted a host of guest speakers, such as Great Britain javelin thrower Goldie Sayers, who presented Old Catton sailor Bryony Bennett-Lloyd with a cheque for �500 last year.

Ex-England cricketer David Steele, former footballers Duncan McKenzie and Tony Cottee, Olympic gold medallist rower and BBC rowing correspondent Martin Cross and author Will Buckley have also presented grants for SportsAid in the past.

• Any businesses wishing to get involved in SportsAid, or to join one of the lunches can contact Rob Davies on 07709 366310.