Cash boost for Dagenham's judo girl

THE BOROUGH S sporting charity has thrown its weight behind a young judo star of the future. Living the Dream has awarded a grant of �467 to Kelly Staddon to help towards the cost of an international tournament and training camp in Holland. The Dagenh

THE BOROUGH'S sporting charity has thrown its weight behind a young judo star of the future.

'Living the Dream' has awarded a grant of �467 to Kelly Staddon to help towards the cost of an international tournament and training camp in Holland.

The Dagenham 14-year-old is currently a member of the England team, and rated number two in the country.

She belongs to Ford Judo Club, which is currently homeless after West Ham United bought its previous home in Rush Green Road.

'Living the Dream' chairman Jeremy West presented the cheque to Kelly last week at the club's temporary base at Gallows Corner, Romford.

Mum Karen said: "It will really come in handy because she doesn't just do one foreign trip a year, but eight or nine."

Kelly, a pupil at Brittons School in Rainham, started judo at the age of four. She is a former England number one and is hoping to regain the title this year.

'Living the Dream' is a partnership between businesses, voluntary groups and the council, and aims to help young athletes from Barking and Dagenham with the heavy financial burden of competing in international sports.