WHILE John Cooper’s granddaughter - 17-year-old biathlon starlet Charlotte Mincher - may have grown up in Canada, he’s maintained an unbreakably strong connection with her and will soon be jetting off to Sweden to watch her represent Great Britain.

In just four weeks, Charlotte will be in Ostersund, Sweden, preparing herself for one of the greatest challenges of her life so far as she faces off against some of the world’s best young biathletes at the IBU Youth Junior World Championships.

And while she’s taking part in the challenging winter sport competition that mixes cross-country skiing with rifle shooting she’ll be inspired by her family back in Barnsley who will be cheering her on.

Despite spending her life in Canada, Charlotte travelled regularly to get to know the town where her mum and dad Lynsey and Phillip grew up.

She also developed a strong bond with her extended family, especially grandparents Stephen and Shirley Mincher and John and Jean Cooper.

Tragically, Jean - who according to Charlotte’s mum would have ‘moved mountains’ to see her granddaughter compete - died last April, so her husband John will be flying over to Sweden to watch the action take place.

The rest of the family will be glued to their televisions throughout the competition to see how she does.

“I’m over the moon, I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to it,” 78-year-old John told the Chronicle.

“She’s put so much work into it and I hope she gets everything she deserves.

“Me and my wife visited Canada two or three times a year and watched the girls grow up and Charlotte take up skiing.

“As long as she does her best that’s all I can ask it’s all any of us can ask and her best will suffice.

“I can’t wait just seeing her compete, that’s all I want.”