Shropshire Olympic hopefuls in crowdfunding bids

Commonwealth judo silver medallist Kelly Edwards, born in Telford, and Mark Fosbrook, from Oswestry, a member of Great Britain's wheelchair basketball team, are two of the first to sign up.

Both are hoping to use crowdfunding to help them make it to Rio this summer.

The scheme is a joint venture between county sports partnership Energize and specialist online funding charity Podium Partners. Clubs, groups and organisations across the county can now make their pitch for funding by creating a campaign at energizestw.podiumpartners.org

The public will be invited to make donations.

Kelly, who won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, said she was looking for £3,000.

"My immediate goal is to meet the challenge of accumulating enough ranking points to qualify for Rio 2016," she said.

"With points only gained through results at 'world circuit' events, financial backing is essential to have a realistic chance. I'm supported by my national governing body and UK Sport, but their budget only allows them to select athletes for a limited number of events a year. The main thing holding me back is this lack of funding."

Mark, who was part of the GB wheelchair basketball team which won European gold in 2014 thus qualifying for this year's Olympics, is hoping to raise £5,000 through the site.

He said: "I'm training hard to make the team. In the lead-in to the games I will be required to take five months off work. I have an understanding employer who will give me this time off unpaid. The problem is how I cover my costs and support my family. I'm grateful to receive funding from UK Sport and the National Lottery, but this doesn't cover everything."

Also hoping to raise funds is 16-year-old Shannon Smith from Cleobury Mortimer, part of the England Talent Development Programme for Volleyball England. She is looking to raise £600. "My campaign is to help towards transport, accommodation and kit costs," she said.

Tamsin Foster, from Energize, said there had been interest from all over the county. "We hope local people will support them in raising the funds they need," she added.