MODERN PENTATHLON University of Bath-based duo Sam Weale and Freyja Prentice have been given a helping hand in their respective bids for glory at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Liverpudlian millionaire Barrie Wells has launched a scheme that will see some of Great Britain's top medal hopes provided with additional private funding in the build-up to the home games.

Wells, a lifelong fan of Olympic sports who made his fortune in insurance, last week announced the names of the 15 athletes he will be backing and also unveiled a charity he has created to fund sport in sustainable grass-roots projects.

He worked with the respective sports' governing bodies to identify podium potential athletes for 2012 and beyond that are in need of additional financial support and each one will receive up to £8,000 per year.

Prentice and Weale are joined on the list by world champion Jessica Ennis and her fellow heptathlete Katarina Thompson, runners Michael Rimmer, Stephanie Twell and Jodie Williams, and swimmers Hannah Miley, Liam Tancock, Caitlin McClatchey, Lizzie Simmonds and Anne Bochmann.

Funding has also been provided for runners Adam Bowden, Charlotte Roach and Katie Ingram, enabling British Triathlon to create a new initiative called TriGold.

Each of the athletes has their individual needs evaluated before funding is allocated. This has led to practical as well as financial support being given to each of them, from coaches and swimsuits to academic tutors and yoga teachers.

Weale, who made his Olympic debut in Beijing last year, said: "I'm so honoured to be involved with the Wells Sports Foundation. It's such a great initiative."

Prentice added: "It provides me with the extra financial help I need to maximise my chances of podium success, as well as giving me the opportunity to help out at a grass roots level and inspire others like me to become passionate about sport."

As part of the deal, the Olympic hopefuls will also act as ambassadors for The Wells Sports Foundation.

This aims to encourage young people to take part in grass roots sport by providing financial and motivational support to sustainable grass roots sports projects. Each of the athletes receiving support from Wells will be visiting schools and sports clubs across the country to promote the work of the Foundation and act as the inspiration for young people to take up sport.

Wells said: "I have long had a love of sport and am now in the lucky position to be able to provide direct personal funding that will make a difference to a group of athletes who I truly believe in.

"I have spent a lot of time getting to know each of these athletes, their coaches and in many cases their families to understand how the support I'm offering can have the maximum impact. I'm as eager as everyone else to see Britain deliver plenty of medals in 2012 and essentially that's what this is about – British Olympic success."

Anyone interested in applying for support for grass roots sports projects can find out more at

www.wellssportsfoundation.com

.

Applications can be submitted from January 2010.