Lauren Munro-Bennett has been awarded a grant towards her trip to the European Triathlon Championships in Geneva in 2015.

I have qualified to compete in the 2015 Geneva ETU Standard Distance Triathlon European Championships for the first time. This will be an amazing experience for me, which may be once in a lifetime due to the expensiveness of the event.

I started competing in triathlons this year, through the University, and have only competed in a few triathlons since then. One of which was the British Triathlon Championships held in Liverpool where I came National Under 20 Champion. This was such a big achievement for me, of which I am very proud of. This race gained me qualification to the European Age Groups in 2015.

The race in Geneva will enable me to compete against other triathletes across Europe, and will give me invaluable race experience which I can carry through to all my future races.

Concerning my aims for the future, in the short term, I want to place in the top 5 in BUCS Standard Distance Triathlon in 2015 (University race), and qualify for an elite triathlon race next season.

More long term, I am aiming to become an elite triathlete. With my dedication to training, and determination to push myself to the limits I think this is achievable in the upcoming years. Alongside this, I take part in fell/mountain running, and I am aiming to qualify to run for GBR in 2015/2016 in mountain running, to go alongside my previous England selections within mountain running. The mountain running side of things compliments triathlons well.

I have just received your letter and cheque in the post, and wanted to thank the John Taylor Foundation for supporting my triathlon successes. I am so grateful for your aid, because otherwise I would not be able to take part in the Europeans in Geneva 2015. I really think this experience will help me develop as an athlete in this sport, and hopefully be the start of future successes.

I am excited to let you know how I do!

Thanks so much again,

Lauren Munro-Bennett