WEST Devon shooter Georgina Geikie needs the help of Times readers to win a series of flights to her training base in Switzerland after this week being shortlisted on the British Airways Great Britons initiative.

Georgina, from South Tawton and a Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, is forced to travel to Zurich to train for the sport pistol class, after legislation changes to gun laws in the UK following the Dunblane tragedy 12 years ago.

Her international progress was dealt a further blow at the start of the year when UK Sport announced a 75% cut in lottery funding.

But after being shortlisted in a final eight by the BA judging panel — which included Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis — it's now up the public to vote via http://www.greatbritons.ba.com">www.greatbritons.ba.com by June 9.

As part of their London 2012 sponsorship, British Airways will give away a £500,000 travel fund, offering 180 free flights a year until 2012 to talented individuals who demonstrate the values associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Georgina, who has set her sights on European Championship glory, is desperate for the assistance after missing two of the four World Cup meets this year due to a lack of funding.

'I missed the two World Cups in China and Korea because I didn't have enough funding to get out there because they were too far away,' said the former Okehampton College student, who also trains at the National Shooting Centre in Bisley, Surrey. 

'We aren't allowed to train for the sport pistol class in England either because of what happened in 1996, so we have to go abroad and obviously if I want to get better, I have no choice.'

Georgina claimed Commonwealth bronze three years ago in Manchester and will use the European Championships in Osijek, Croatia as a stepping stone towards upgrading her efforts at next year's Games in Delhi.

The former modern pentathlete was the only female British shooter as part of the seven-strong squad at the World Cup events in Munich and Milan and has vowed to lay down a Commonwealth marker ahead of the event in 17 months' time.

'To have that kind of world class experience under my belt is perfect — I have learnt a lot going forward and I hope to use that at the European,' she said.

'The competition has been so close and there were only about four points separating those in the top eight from those outside it.

'I am aiming to get in the top 12 in Croatia in the sport pistol and hopefully I can get in the final — but that will be a big ask.'