A REDDITCH teenager is set to represent Team GB in Thai Boxing in Turkey.

George Rowand, aged 14, and his team will travel to the IFMA World Youth Muay Thai Championships after being backed with a grand donation from a leading housebuilder.

The fighter has been given a £1,000 donation by Persimmon Homes South Midlands. The cash boost will help cover Thaitans Martial Arts Academy’s expenses, flights and accommodation costs to attend the event from September 28 - October 6.

The grant comes as part of the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme, which seeks to support groups and charities across the region. Each month two groups are given a match-funded donation of up to £1,000.

Rebecca Rowand, George’s mother, said: “I am so pleased that the team have been selected to receive this donation from Persimmon Homes South Midlands.

“George has already represented Team GB in both Thailand and Lithuania, where he won a gold medal. He is very excited to have been given the backing to compete in Turkey later this year.”

Amanda Rogers, head of sales at Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: “Thaitans Martial Arts Academy do valuable work with youngsters across the region in which we build, and it is our pleasure to be able to reward them with a £1,000 donation.

“Choosing our two monthly winners is always a difficult task, but we would encourage any good cause from across South Midlands to get in touch with an application.”

To nominate and to find out more about the terms and conditions, people can visit persimmonhomes.com/community-champions