Two women from the Shotley peninsula have been selected to play for Great Britain's basket squad in the World Championships in Spain this summer.

Laura Shemming from Shotley and Catherine Mclean from Holbrook are part of the GB's Over 50s and 40s (respectively) sides aiming for European Maxibasket medal glory in the 11th FIMBA European Maxibasketball Championships, in Malaga from 24 June to 3 July.

Besties Laura and Catherine played the sport together at Ipswich and Laura has represented England in her younger days.

GB Maxis is a nationally recognised high-quality performance programme for basketballers aged 35 years and over, who seeking to extend their enjoyment of the game by competing against players of their age and representing their country at an elite level.

The players travel from all parts of the United Kingdom but receive no Government or Lottery funding, so participants are required to cover the costs of training, playing kit, facility hire, travel and accommodation themselves.

Like all their team mates the peninsula duo will need to find £1,500-2,000k each ahead of these Championships and a Go Fund me page has been set up to help all the players be able to cover the costs of competing for their country.

The squad is looking to raise £20,000 and donations will help to ensure every GB Maxiballers has an equal opportunity to represent Great Britain in Malaga this summer, irrespective of personal circumstances.

You can make that vision become a reality for your family member, friend, club teammate, work colleague or business network member, as our 'Olds Go For Gold.'

Click here to donate to Laura, Catherine and the GB maxi basket squad's Go Fund Me page.