A PROMISING young archer is a step closer to her Paralympic dream after being bought two new bows by a local company.

Benfleet’s Rebecca Griffin, 16, who has cerebral palsy, has been picked for a fast-track talent team to train with the GB Paraarchery squad as a first step to becoming one of them.

To help her on her way, Castle Point Gas and Heating Company has given the King John School pupil a £2,000 donation, which will pay for two new bows and equipment for her international competitions.

Rebecca said: “I am very grateful.

“It means a lot the fact that someone is there to say ‘we’ll help’.”

Her dad, Tony, said: “Despite Rebecca’s determination to represent Great Britain in the Paralympics, it wouldn’t be possible without the equipment to carry out the sport.

“Like all sports, when you become better and perform at the top of your sport, the equipment you need has to be the best, but this is always more expensive.

“I recently wrote letters to approximately 60 local businesses asking if they would support Rebecca financially in her dream to be in the Paralympics.

“Castle Point Gas and Heating Company came forward. Dave Wells, the owner, is always looking to support local talent from Benfleet and was only too happy to help. The last eight months has been an absolute rollercoaster, which is only set to continue over the next year.”

Keith Wells, a director of the company, said: “We sponsor all sorts of local clubs and organisations and support churches.

“It is in our company policy to add value to the local community.

“It is not a one-off – this is something we have done for years.”

He said they had begun sponsoring Rebecca before she was picked for the talent squad, so it was good to see her doing so well.

As part of the talent programme, Rebecca will go to the Archery GB performance centre and Lilleshall National sports centre, in Shropshire, four times a month, where she will have the support of physiotherapists, personal trainers and GB coaches.

Neighbours had complained to Castle Point Council after the family set up a makeshift target range for Rebecca to practise on in their garden.

The family invited council officers around to inspect the range, but have heard nothing back, so Rebecca has been able to continue using it.