Woman to represent GB in athletics championships

A woman who has been selected to compete in athletics at the Down Syndrome World Championships in Bulgaria has said she is "proud and a little bit nervous".

Serena Bennett, 29, from Worcester, is one of several athletes representing Great Britain at the event from 13 to 19 June.

She is due to compete in the 1,500m and 3,000m race-walking, and either the 400m or 800m running race.

Serena said: "I'll make sure I can actually do it, and make sure my mum and my dad will be proud of me for doing the event."

Serena is trained by her father, Rob Bennett, and is often seen running in Claines.

"She's training about four times a week - she does a session at Rivers Fitness in Droitwich, and they kindly volunteered one of their trainers to do core, strength and conditioning work," Rob said.

He said Serena trained with him three times a week, involving hill training and sprint training, "and trains once a week at the Ryland Centre along with her Special Olympics teammates".

Rob said the races Serena was competing in were on successive days.

"It's going to be quite tough on her body, I think, so that's why she's trained hard," he said.

Her mum, Anna, said they were a sporty family, and she was proud of her daughter's achievement.

"She's always worked hard, and is so determined and I think she thoroughly deserves it," she told the BBC.

The family want to raise money to help Serena and her four teammates go to the competition.

"It's extremely expensive, there's no financial support for the team," Rob said.

More than £1,700 has been raised so far, but the family want to get "as much as we can".

"It is going to be eye opening for her, because I don't think she's ever been anywhere where she's going to be surrounded by hundreds of people with Down Syndrome," Rob added.

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