A YOUNG ice hockey player will travel to Canada on national duty after landing the sponsorship he needs to make the trip of a lifetime.

Dylan Hehir (CORRECT) will be part of the England squad that competes in the International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament – one of the world’s biggest junior ice hockey contests – next month (February).

The 12-year-old, from Tudhoe, was donated £500 by Spennymoor-based home improvements company Advanced Windows which means he has now raised enough money to go to Quebec.

Managing director John Humphreys said: “We received a letter explaining the massive effort Dylan has had to put in over the months to be selected to play for England, however funds were required for him to travel and stay in Canada for the tournament.

“We were happy to assist.

“Where possible we try to support exceptional young people from the local community.”

The firm’s sister company TA Plastics sponsored Dylan’s older brother Ethan when he played in the same tournament in 2014.

Both are pupils at St Leonard’s Catholic School, in Durham, and play for Billingham Stars.

Grandmother Susan Brown said: “Dylan is very excited now and still training hard with games in Guildford and Sheffield in the final preparation.”

She said Ethan and his family appreciate the support of other sponsors including Success (North-East), Katem Logistics, Fracks Transport and Spennymoor Rotary Club.

Spennymoor Town Council also donated £200 and family friends did a 70 mile sponsored bike ride to boost his travel fund.