A disabled 16-year-old may soon have new racing wheels, thanks to fundraising by his Bexley school.
Jack Tatton, from Glenmore Road in Welling, is a keen sportsman who was born with cerebral palsy.
The Cleeve Park pupil said he was excited and surprised when his school launched an attempt to raise £2,500-£3,000 – the cost of a specially designed racing wheelchair.
Jack said: “Ever since I started going to the youth games, I saw these chairs and I thought: “If I had one of those I could really do a lot, instead of being confined to one of these chairs.’
“But I could not dream of affording it so I just made do with what I have.
“The new chair’s more lightweight. It will make it easier to do several sports in.
“It will make sports more enjoyable, and it will allow me to hopefully meet my full potential when I do racing.”
Jack represents his school at boccia, a precision sport similar to bowls for which competitors must have a disability and be in a wheelchair.
The Cleeve Park School boccia team
The team, made up of Jack and three other disabled children, has won events nationally and in London.
Jack competes in wheelchair football and racing, as well as practicing kung fu at a sporting club, with able-bodied teenagers.
Jack said: “I am not letting my disability get in my way. If I want to do something, I will do it.
Jack in New York at the 'top of the rock'
“Currently I am in possession of 20 plus medals for different competitions.
“I have had a Jack Petchy award given to me for my sports.
“I compete in the London Youth Games and the Pentathlon every year.”
Jack practices sport seven-days-a-week, doing swimming, PE or training by pushing himself around the field for stamina.
He dreams of representing Team GB in the Paralympics.
Head teacher Jenni Tyler-Maher said: “Jack’s commitment and dedication to the successes of Cleeve Park School’s boccia team have been inspiring and it is for this reason that we want to do this for Jack as he enters a new phase in his sporting activities.
“His love of the sport has triggered an interest in other Paralympic sports and racing is one of them.
“In order for Jack to compete he needs to be equipped with a racing chair.”
Donations to Jack’s wheelchair fund can be made here.
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