Sport England has awarded SportsAid a £650,000 grant to support the charity's work with talented young athletes over the next two years.

SportsAid offers young athletes cash awards during the early years of their careers so they can train and compete.

The funding from Sport England means SportsAid can continue to focus on finding new sources of support - from businesses, trusts and members of the public - for talented young people who aspire to be the next Olympic, Paralympic and world champions.

At London 2012, three-quarters of the Olympic medalists had at some point been supported by the charity while 27 Paralympic gold medals were won by athletes who have received SportsAid's support.

Current SportsAid beneficiaries include 17-year-old middle distance runner Loren Bleaken.

Loren said: "SportsAid has really helped me realise how much my sport costs and the support and help over the years my parents have continually given to me, without question.

"It was great to be able to manage my own finances this year, being able take responsibility and make important decisions for myself concerning my sport and having the freedom to be able to do this because it was my money I was using."

Sport England's director of sport, Lisa O'Keefe, added: "I's not just about money - the recognition that comes with a SportsAid award can give talented teenagers the self-belief to take their performance to the next level."

For more info on SportsAid's 2013 fund raising campaign, click here.