TEN incredible athletes from Maximum Potential Health have been funded to continue the invaluable training they receive with trainer John Welsh, all thanks to a generous benefactor.

Those at MPHealth are thrilled with the opportunity to continue training these ten athletes, however, there are many more talented individuals who could achieve great heights with Mr Welsh if given the funding to ensure the nurturing of their talent.

Lucy Merrilees, a 17-year-old figure skater, is an example of what the Nurturing Excellence Programme has produced so far and is one such athlete hoping to maintain her training at MPHealth.

Lucy began her athletic career at just three-years-old and ventured into competition two short years later at the age of five. Now she is a competitor in the junior category, which consists of skaters aged 15-19.

Joining MPHealth at 11, she said: “MPHealth has made me a much stronger skater which I was lacking before joining.”

The visible difference in Lucy from joining MPHealth to where she is now led to her to “hope to continue training at MPHealth and in the future continue to skate internationally.”

Miss Merrilees has trained at MPHealth for the past six years where her dedication and inspiring work ethic has not gone unnoticed. John Welsh said: “Lucy is a very dedicated athlete who always works hard and it has been an honour to be part of her incredible journey.”

Further to being a talented athlete and devoted to her sport and her own goals and achievements, Lucy has been a massive support for others and a true representative of what being an athlete entails.

John added: “She is a fantastic role model to young figure skaters showing dedication and an impressive attention to detail.”

Like Lucy, those at MPHealth are not only incredible athletes but are also incredible people. The gym encourages a community feel where everyone regardless of age and ability support one other and provide help wherever it is needed.

The work John and his volunteer coaches at MPHealth put in give athletes like her and countless others the skills and training they need to excel in their chosen sport and to reach the highest of levels as an athlete.

Aid from local businesses and independent benefactors is the only way to continue with the programme and, in time, will bring forward many other aspiring athletes who wish to continue to grow in their sport.

For more information, contact MPHealth at 01294 539644.