GOLD medalist teenage sprinter Lee Hunter is to receive a helping hand so he can do his home town proud once again.

The 15-year-old from Redcar struck summer gold in both the 100metres and 200 metres at the Under-19 Disability Sport England Championships and a silver medal sprint double at the Cerebral Palsy National Championships.

Yesterday he received a £1,000 grant from the West Redcar Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) to help him do his home town proud once again.

Parents Tony and Geraldine made a successful application to the Chest, which offers grant aid up to £1,000 to community and voluntary groups based or active within the four West Redcar wards of Coatham, Dormanstown, Kirkleatham and Newcomen.

A small number of grants are also available to individuals in pursuit of sporting or cultural excellence.

West Redcar SRB Priority Group chairman George Robinson invited Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Mayor Eric Jackson to hand over the cheque.

He said: "We're delighted the scheme can support Lee in recognition of his achievements. He is a very talented sprinter and we wish him every success for the new season."

Father Tony, who drives Lee to training sessions at Chester-le-Street every Thursday evening, said: "We're very grateful. There is a lot of expense involved, but we want to back Lee as much as we can and this grant will certainly help."

Anyone who would like more information on the Community Chest can contact Community Grants Development Officer Laura Ellison on (01642) 444281.