The Armchair Club, a group of businesspeople who have been raising money for local sportsmen and women for many years, has backed teenager Mansfield fencer Dylan Helme.

He has been selected to represent Great Britain in the under-14 epee discipline and will compete at the Osijek European Fencing Circuit (EFC) in Croatia this month, having recently won bronze at the England EFC event.

Dylan previously finished second in the under-11 category at the 2022 England Youth Championships, and was also second in the under-12 category a year later. He won the 2023 Youth Series and was overall winner of the Elite Epee Junior Series.

The money will help Dylan to compete at both national and European competitions that award ranking points. He is aiming to maintain a place in the top 15 and qualify for GB selection.

To further enhance his international experience, the teenager will be attending the Challenge Wratislavia in Wroclaw, Poland — the largest international under-15 fencing tournament, which attracts competitors from across the world, including the United States, China, and Japan.

This year Dylan will also be attending fencing training camps in London, Tunbridge Wells, and Budapest to maintain his level of performance, while broadening his experiences with world-class coaches.

Pictured is Bill Taylor, patron of the Armchair Club, handing over a cheque to Dylan Helme.