Young hopefuls aged 14 to 23 with a wide range of talents have been recognised and supported through funding and mentorship, thanks to Young & Talented Cornwall - The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund.

From science to sprinting, gymnastics to guitar, 24 of Cornwall’s emerging stars have been given grant funding worth almost £38,000, receiving up to £2,000 each to help them hone their talents and achieve their potential.

They are the second cohort of the year to benefit from grants in the All-Talent and Spirit of Trevithick (STEM) elements of the scheme, which is headed up by Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. He presented grateful recipients with an award certificate at Rodda’s Creamery, one of the fund’s generous business sponsors.

Among those celebrated were Lucy Cathery, 15, from Gulval who represents the South West in gymnastics; and Sawyer Wragg, 17, a top 100 UK sprinter from Lanivet.

Jazz guitarist Jacob Jewell, 17, from Helston, was recognised along with Cornwall’s number one tennis player, Sofiia Hrytsekno, 16, from Newquay.

Grade 8 soprano singer and Truro Cathedral chorister Natalie Philips, 17, gave award attendees a taste of her talents with a live performance.

Six aspiring talents in the area of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) made up the Spirit of Trevithick cohort - including Florence Castleden, 16, from St Cleer, who came second in Café Scientifique’s Young Scientist of the Year competition.

Budding astrophysicist Oak Cowles, 16, from St Teath and St Breward, is also a beneficiary alongside geology and mining heritage enthusiast Olivia Bennett, 20, from Chacewater. They will each be paired with a specialist mentor in their field for a year of invaluable advice.

Young & Talented Cornwall was launched in 2005 as The Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Youth, by then Lord Lieutenant Lady Mary Holborow and Vice Lord Lieutenant Michael Galsworthy, and is administered by Cornwall Community Foundation.

The fund strives to help young individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding talent in a particular field – such as sport, the arts, science, voluntary service and enterprise – but are struggling to achieve their ambition or progress in their chosen career because of hardship or disability.

Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho said: “The breadth of exceptional talent in such a wide variety of fields demonstrates what a hotbed for talent Cornwall is. From sports to performing arts and STEM, our young people are thriving in every aspect.

“They deserve to be given the opportunity to achieve their potential regardless of any challenges they face. That’s where Young & Talented Cornwall can help. It’s a pleasure to be able to support these talented young Cornish people and help them make their mark.”

Applications for the next round of grants are now open. For more information, visit www.youngandtalentedcornwall.org