A YOUNG Whitecraig karate champion is appealing for sponsorship after being selected for more competitions abroad.

Monroe Ritchie, 12, of Dean Court, is currently at brown belt black tag and is training for her black belt in the martial art.

She has just left Whitecraig Primary School to move on to Musselburgh Grammar School after the summer holidays.

She got into karate at the age of five, when she took part in Active Schools, which offers sport and physical activities for all East Lothian primary school pupils.

She signed up for four free lessons and now trains at the Chris Ewing Karate (CEK) dojo in Musselburgh.

Monroe’s mum Laura said: “Monroe is getting selected for more and more competitions abroad.

“This year so far, she has competed in the Swedish Open and won gold. She also went to Belgium to fight in the Panda Cup and won bronze.

“At the British Championships she won silver and she was a double gold winner at the North East Open.

“She was also double gold winner at the Cumbrian Open and, last year, fought in the Belgium Wadokai Championships, bringing home a silver and gold medal.”

Monroe also competed in Ireland, winning a bronze medal, and has participated in several other competitions in Scotland and England. She also travelled to Croatia to compete in the WKF Youth Cup.

“She took part in an amazing training camp where she met some of the world’s top athletes,” said Laura.

Monroe was selected to fight in the Wado European Championships in Cyprus this year but, due to the expense of the trip, she was unable to attend.

Laura said that, as karate was a self-funded sport, they hoped to attract sponsors to help with Monroe’s travel and equipment costs in the future.

Sponsors would get publicity on Monroe and Laura’s social media posts.

Although not permitted to have sponsors’ details on her Gi (karate kit), she would be photographed with sponsors with their work vehicles or outside their business premises wearing her Gi.

To sponsor Monroe, email Laura at gillespie.l@sky.com