The owner of Dillies won gold in the 67.5kg Masters 2 class at the Global Powerlifting Committee European Championships in Poland back in July, and now she is gunning for British gold.

And she will travel down to the capital with a little weight off her shoulders, after receiving a grant from local voluntary organisation Sport Tynedale.

The not-for-profit sports group awarded Jo £180 to cover the costs of her accommodation and travel, which will be a big help to the powerlifter who needs to self-fund all events, which will include the World and European championships next year.

She said: “We don’t get any funding and it’s great to get that grant, as every little helps.

“I thought the fund might just be open to young, up-and-coming start, but I am thrilled it is prepared to support old fuddy duddies like me in an unknown sport.

“It just goes to show the organisation supports any sport and all ages, and it’s nice it has recognised my achievements.”

Jo is just a handful of local sportspeople to benefit from grants issued by Sport Tynedale, and one of the first to benefit from a recent decision to hike the sums available from £100 up to £250.But the organisation is wanting more people to apply, with a pot available to those participating across all sports.

Chairman Edward Heslop said: “We exist to encourage local people’s development within sport, and we want to ensure we can make a small difference to those people competing outside the area at a higher level.

“As an organisation, we must be pushing £100,000 in grants throughout our long history, and we want to keep assisting where we can.”

The not-for-profit organisation relies on subscriptions from sports clubs and town and parish councils, with every penny going back into local sports.

Sport Tynedale is encouraging more to sign up to help boost the pot, which will only benefit sportspeople across Tynedale and Ponteland.

The organisation’s crowing moment comes each December through its popular awards ceremony, a huge celebration of grassroots sport, which will be held at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre on December 10.

Prudhoe-based tissue maker Essity, formerly SCA Hygiene, one of Northumberland’s largest employers, will continue to support the annual events night for a sixth year.

Site manager George Placogiannakis, said: “Though our name and logo have changed, it’s still very much business as usual and Prudhoe Mill continues to play an active role in the local community.

“Sport Tynedale is instrumental in looking after the interests of grass roots sport in our area and encouraging more people to participate in all types of sport.

“We’re thrilled to back the Sport Tynedale Awards again this year through our Employee Charity Committee. The Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate the role sport can play in enriching lives, regardless of age or ability.”