A little win on the bingo has provided the mother of British Olympic athlete Sarah Claxton with the opportunity to buy a more expensive pair of shoes for the first time, reports the Gazette.
Althea Claxton, a single mother of three, had a hard time in the past raising and financing her three children and in her desire to give them all she could often went without for herself.
The 52-year-old will see all that hard work pay off next month when Sarah represents Great Britain in the 100m hurdles at the Beijing Olympics
And she may be able to watch her daughter from her home in Monkwick, Colchester, wearing a new pair of shoes that she bought with some bingo game play winnings.
Mrs Claxton regularly required the help of others in the Colchester area to help finance Sarah's hopes and due to the family's lack of money, she never really bought for herself.
Sarah's first pair of running spikes were second hand and regularly required taping up and likewise Mrs Claxton regularly picked items, including shoes, off of second hand rails.
The new pink boots cost £12.50 from an advert in the local newspaper but it is hoped they bring the inspiration for Sarah to achieve her best in Beijing.
Currently, Susanna Kallur of Sweden is most people's favourite to win the women's 100m hurdles in Beijing.
