Three rising Gloucestershire sports stars were centre stage at one of the biggest and best sporting venues in the country.

Boxers Millie and Danny Short and runner Amari Cambridge were at Cheltenham Racecourse, the home of National Hunt racing, for a very special occasion.

They were there to see CASS and Friends, the sporting charity that has done so much to support young athletes all over the county, receive a cheque for £2,000 from the Jockey Club.

Millie, Danny and Amari are all supported by CASS & Friends and charity founder Fiona Carter said: “It was a wonderful day, we are very grateful for all the support we receive.”

The donation was part of the Gold Cup 100 Community Grant Initiative, which has been introduced this year to mark the 100^th anniversary of the first ever running of the Gold Cup.

It is being run in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Cheltenham and has already made donations to several other very worthwhile causes. They are: Fresh Hope Café, Battledown Centre, Association of the friends of Glenfall School, Read Easy Cheltenham & Gloucester, Cheltenham Tigers Wheelchair Rugby Club and Headway Gloucestershire.

Meanwhile, CASS & Friends have also received financial help from Notgrove Estate, near Bourton-on-the-Water, which is managed by Harry and Diana Acland, who are great supporters of the local community.

“They have given us £3,000 per year for the next three years,” said a delighted Fiona, who founded CASS & Friends in 2015.

CASS and Friends offer financial support to those talented sporting youngsters who need it to help them achieve their dreams.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup, meanwhile, is the most prestigious race in jump racing and the highlight of the Cheltenham Festival. This year’s race is on Friday 15^th March.