TWO teenage Olympic ice dance hopefuls are crowdfunding to help them take the next big step in their careers.

Emily Phillips and Jayin Panesar, both aged 14, belong to Bracknell Ice Skating Club and are the top-ranked duo in Great Britain in their category.

They have already achieved more than 40 podium places including an international gold medal for GB and several medals at national level.

The pair, who are based at the John Nike Leisuresport complex, have now been invited to train with Olympic coaches John and Carol Lane during the summer holidays.

But there is a snag – the coaching takes place in Scarboro, Canada and the pupils from Emmbrook School in Wokingham need to raise an eye-watering £6,000 towards the three-week trip.

“Spending time at a school for elite ice dancers, with Olympic competitors, would give this young team the opportunity to train in one of the best facilities in the world and really push them for the coming competition season,” said Lucine Chakmakjian, who coaches the duo at Bracknell along with David Phillips.

“They won their first international gold medal for GB last year and came third in the British Championships.

“They are a determined young couple who have been training and competing together for four years and they are desperate to move forward in their sport.

“However, the cost of flights, accommodation, ice time and coaching fees make this dream out of reach for these two young skaters.”

Emily, from Woodley, and Jayin, from Wokingham, endured a terrible run with injuries over the past 18 months that threatened to check their progress.

Emily suffered a broken ankle followed by a broken wrist, while Jayin managed to break his knee.

Jayin also had to contend with a mysterious condition that caused him to regularly collapse and end up in hospital as well as a burst appendix.

Yet despite the setbacks they continued to excel on the ice and became the 2017 Advanced Novice Graz Champions in November last year.

The duo often get up at 4am and train up to 20 hours per week before and after school. They skate to music adapted for them by GB Olympic gold medallist, Robin Cousins.

They now hope to make the most of an injury-free run after setting their sights on representing GB at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Chakmakjian added: “We would love to be up there with the best and start the journey on the road to representing GB at senior level in four years’ time.

“Taking in to account all expenses, we are looking to raise £6000 to help them take up this amazing offer in Canada and help them take the next step towards their Olympic goal. It is an incredible opportunity they are desperate to make the most of.”

Emily and Jayin thank their current sponsors James Fothergill Cosmic Gym, Rachel Maeylor sports therapist, Amici couture and Everglides in Gosport.

To make a contribution via Bhupinder Panesar’s crowdfunding page click here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emilyandjay?utm_id=1&utm_term=eJEWJEYN9