National sports agency Sportsbeat will work alongside UK Athletics to promote their UKA Heroes scheme.
The initiative, which is sponsored by Original Source, offers financial support to talented young athletes who are working towards the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.
Sportsbeat will provide a news distribution service to their client newspapers, targeting the regions represented by the athletes on the scheme.
The project, which has extended its number from six in 2008 to 15 this time around, has seen UKA handpick athletes with ‘potential’ and who need extra support.
The cast-list for 2009 has seen Niall Flannery, Jodie Williams, Jade Ive, Alan McKie, Jordan McGrath, Abdie Ahmed, Ross Murray, Jessica Leach, Shaunna Thompson, Sarah Holt, Daniel Lucker, Izzy Jeffs, Ben Reynolds, Laura Weightman and Beth Potter all selected.
Each of the youngsters will receive £1000 in two £500 cheque payments, while one athlete will receive an extra £1000 at the end of the project chosen by Heroes Project Manager, a member of the UKA performance team and a representative from Original Source – based on commitment and performances.