Spare a few bob for ice rider Brogan?

Moorside's Brogan Crowley chases skeleton Winter Olympic dream..

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MOORSIDE'S skeleton Olympic hopeful has spoken about her dream of competing in the winter 2022 games in Beijing.

But Brogan Crowley (22) needs Oldhamers help to raise funds after launching a Crowdfunding campaign to pay for equipment.

Skeleton is a winter sliding sport, where a person rides a small sled (or sleigh) down a frozen track while lying face down. Unlike other sliding sports of bob-sleigh, the race only involves single riders.

The thrill-seekers' sport only appeared as a regular feature at the Olympics in 2002, where a women's race was added.

Brogan was a promising young athlete who represented England Under 20s in the heptathlon, long jump, and 60m hurdles as well as Great Britain Under 20s in the indoor pentathlon.

But a recurring ankle injury meant Brogan was forced to give up athletics. She entered the British Skeleton programme through the Power2Podium scheme after seeing an advertisement following the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.

Speaking about her progress, Brogan said: "Everything is going well so far and I am on target for the Winter Olympics".

She has now "graduated from the talent programme into the performance programme".

Brogan is still on track with her studies, reading English and Sports Science in her final year at Loughborough University.

She said sometimes it's "hard to balance university with training", however she realises it is crucial to keep on top of her work and always tries to be as prepared as possible. She further commented how her lecturers are a great help "they even record the lectures for me".

When asked if she has found the time to think about plans for after the Olympics, she said: "I would like to utilise something from my degree, something along those lines. Maybe study for a Masters in a few years".

However for the time being, her ultimate focus is dedicated to ending at the Winter games. For now this involves raising money through crowd-funding, which will help Brogan pay for the special equipment required for the sport. She has already "asked for help from friends, family and local businesses".

Brogan's highlights so far have been travelling to St Moritz, where there is "the only track with natural snow - there isnothing like it in the world!". Training for skeleton has also granted Brogan the opportunity to travel to Germany and Latvia. Another notable memory that resonates with the Olympian enthusiast is when she reached her personal best while training, with a speed of 82mph.

She also relished competing in the World Junior Championships.

With the cost of loaning her own equipment, alongside travel and accommodation costs, student Brogan is in need of some financial help.

Starting her crowd-funding just five days ago, Brogan would appreciate some extra support, to help her reach her most crucial point in her career.

To donate, please visit https://www.pledgesports.org/projects/bidding-for-beijing-2022-winter-olympics/