A top-ranked local BMX rider is halfway toward a fundraising goal that would see her represent New Zealand at the sport's world champs this year.
Amy Martin, 15, who is ranked number one in the country for her age group, needed to raise $8000 to represent New Zealand at the BMX World Championships in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in July.
A combination of donations to Miss Martin's internet fundraising page and bank account had totalled half the amount required for her to reach Rotterdam. She has two months to raise the remaining $4000.
Proud mum Jodie Martin said Miss Martin only started the sport of BMX Racing 18 months ago.
She had come out on top at the sport's Nationals in Tauranga this year.
Already the Hastings-based prodigy had met and taken advice from the likes of Sarah Walker, 25, who won silver in the women's BMX at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Miss Martin's own goal was to represent her country at the 2020 Olympics.
Each weekend, she and her parents travelled outside the region to train at BMX tracks around the North Island, because Hawke's Bay lacked a full-sized track, she said.
However, a full-sized, national-standard BMX track was under construction at Romane's Drive, near Guthrie Park, in Havelock North.
It was being built with the help of the Hastings District Council and would be leased by the 60-member Hawke's Bay BMX Club. The track was due to be finished in October this year.
Miss Martin said she had been overwhelmed by support from local businesses and individuals.
She said she wanted to thank Crossman Richards, Fieldsway Engineering, Harcourts, Mediaworks and Short Construction.
To donate, visit the website www.makeachamp.com/amymartin. Miss Martin is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/amymartinbmx