A WHOLE host of Dorset Pent-athletes head off to Cyprus in October for the World Biathle Championships – and they are looking for a helping hand to get them there.

After gaining selection for the Great Britain team at the national championships in Salford, more than 20 of the club’s members will be testing themselves against the best in the world this autumn.

But without any major backers, Dorset Pentathletes competitors have to find their own ways of funding the trip and everything that goes with it.

One member, 14-year-old Zoe Gowers, who won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Monaco a few years back, is taking on a big challenge in the hope of raising the money she needs in order to travel to Cyprus.

This Saturday, the youngster is going to be running the 20km from Dorchester to Portland and is targeting a time of around two-and-a-half hours for the country to coast fundraiser.

Local businesses near her home in Upwey have already rallied around to support the Thomas Hardye School pupil with sponsor sheets and collections in Broad-wey Stores, Broadwey Fish and Chip Shop and at the Baking Birds in Friar Waddon.

Gowers, who won silver in Salford, took part in her first biathle event at the age of eight and is now part of the English Talent Pool for modern pentathalon, a sport Great Britain excels in.

“My main aim is to compete in the Olympics,” she said. “I started out doing swimming and then got into biathle.

“A couple of years after that I began shooting and fencing and now I’m riding horses.

“To get to Olympic standard you have different talent pools and the next one I’m aiming for is the European which will mean going abroad more. Swimming and running on their own can get a bit boring, but together they are fun and you get to make a lot of new friends competing in biathle.”

She added: “I’m doing the run to Portland to raise money for Cyprus and it will be the furthest I’ve ever run in one go.

“My mum is going to be with me on her bike and we’re going on the cycle path from Dorchester then onto the seafront in Weymouth and the Rodwell Trail.”

Other athletes selected for the World Championships are: 10-and-under, Ryan Symington, Sam Cobb, Anya Evans, Elektra Covell; 12-and-under, Daisy Davies, George Tester, Ben Samuals, George Case, Robert Croager; 14-and-under, Alex Withey, Zoe Gowers, Travis Bramley, Jed Skilton; 16-and-under, Victoria Halford, Jordon Symington, Harrison Yarnold, Bradley Sutton; Juniors, Africa Mason; Masters, Nick Ireland, Mark Bramley, Andy Price, Mick Flaherty, Becky Baxter.

If there is anyone who would be interested in sponsoring the club or any member of the team for the World Championships, email flaherty121@aol.com