16 Dec 2008

TRANMERE TRAMPOLINER JUMPS FOR JOY!

When 14 year old Luke Strong first walked into the Trampoline Youth Club in Tranmere looking for something to do, the five pensioners who ran it had no idea an Olympic star was about to be born.

The club, founded by the volunteer based Tranmere Action Group paid sessional coaches to come and teach the young people in the Housing Market Renewal area of Tranmere after they complained of having nothing to occupy them.

Luke was one of the 70+ children who came along, and was soon such a rising star that he began to train at the local sports centre before being picked up by the City of Liverpool Trampolining Squad.

Having performed across the country, he represented Great Britain in Canada last year. But in a sport where just a leotard can cost as much as £85, fundraising to keep this teenager at the top of his game is always a struggle for the people supporting him.

As the oldest of four children and hoping to be a part of the Olympics in 2012 Luke said: "I am so grateful to the people who enable me to continue with a sport that I love. I can't believe the amount of things I've been able to do since I started trampolining and I'm totally dedicated to it. I'm very proud to represent my country and I hope to be able to do that for a long time to come."

Luke has already received sponsorship from HMRI, Lovell, Port Sunlight Workplace trust, Aid-a-Child and the North West Trampoline Society amongst others but needs more to be able to continue.

Pauline Davis, the Managing Director of NewHeartlands which is the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder for Merseyside said: "We thought it was crucial to support a youngster from one of our renewal areas on the road to success. Luke works very hard and he deserves every opportunity. Hopefully the sponsorship HMR and other organisations give him will help him reach his true potential."

Barbara Dunn, Secretary of the Tranmere Action Group said: "We were astounded by what a natural talent Luke was and are delighted he is moving forward with what could be a fabulous sporting career. We work very hard to fundraise for whatever Luke needs to enter the competitions both at home and abroad but we always need more. It cost £2000 for him to enter the International Trampoline Championships in Canada and the tunnel fees alone to get him to training every year cost £1700 but we don't believe when you're as talented and committed as Luke that your background should hinder your ambitions."

Anyone wishing to help Luke with sponsorship or funding should contact Barbara Dunn on 07759 59 22 98.