The North East’s largest motor group, Benfield, is the new driving force behind Morpeth Harrier and GB athlete Laura Weightman’s bid to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic games.
The 1500m runner, who hails from Alnwick, is being supplied with a Sunderland-built Nissan Juke from Benfield Nissan’s dealership on Portland Road, Newcastle, as she steps up her preparations and training schedule for the Rio games.
The 23-year-old, a protégé of three-time Olympian Steve Cram, will use the car to travel to and from her training sessions and competitions across the country. The sponsorship is a major boost as she looks to build on her success at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Silver medals she won at the 2013 European Team Championships and last year’s Commonwealth Games.
Collecting the keys to her new car, a delighted Laura said: “This is just amazing, it’s the perfect car for me and I’m so happy with it. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to have a car that’s totally reliable and comfortable. I’m so grateful to have the backing of Benfield Nissan, especially as my training schedule intensifies.”
Coach Steve Cram said: “This is fantastic news for Laura and great news that a local business like Benfield is getting behind her. As a full-time athlete she has to find support wherever she can, so this is a great gesture and will be invaluable to Laura as her commitments increase and her training schedule develops towards Rio 2016.”
Martin Watson, General Manager, Benfield Nissan, said: “Laura thoroughly deserves our support. We are a North East-based company so to be able to help and support one of the region’s most exciting and talented young athletes reach the Olympic games is a real honour. The fact the Nissan Juke was built here in the North East also make us all particularly proud too.”