A YORK teenager whose sports ambitions have been boosted by a pensioner's gifts of money has won selection into the British squad for this season.

Canoeist Sam Ellis produced an impressive performance at the British trials at the National Water Sports Centre at Holmepierrepoint, near Nottingham, finishing second in the junior freestyle kayak, with 187 points, way ahead of the third-placed competitor.

The big date in his diary is now the European Championships at Thun, Switzerland. His GCSE exams this summer will prevent him going to this year's pre-world championships.

When the costs of travelling to training venues and competitions threatened to put paid to his international career last year a York pensioner came forward out of the blue with the offer of help.

"The lady (who wishes to remain anonymous) read the article about Sam's plight in the Evening Press and sent Sam £100," said his mother. "She said she wasn't taking a holiday and wanted to help Sam. She gave him another £20 at Christmas and again at Easter.

"Sam goes to visit her and he writes to her to let him know how he is doing."

Sam, a 16-year-old pupil at Canon Lee School, has also had £100 from City of York Leisure Services and £60 from York and District Sports Council.

The York Canoe Club member competed in the world freestyle kayak championships in the Spanish Pyrenees last year and the European Championships.

He trains at Tees Barrage, Holmepierriepoint and sometimes goes over to North Wales. His next competition is at the Tees Barrage this weekend.

The British Canoe Union can't pay expenses to competitions and because freestyle kayak is not an Olympic event it doesn't qualify for Sports Council aid.

His kayaks, wet suits and other equipment are supplied free by specialist company PQK, of Matlock.

Freestyle kayak involves completing tricky manoeuvres within a limited area of water.

Updated: 10:43 Saturday, April 27, 2002