A THORNLEIGH Salesian College pupil wants to reach new heights on the way towards a full call-up for the Great Britain trampolining squad.

Alex Bradshaw, aged 14, has high ambitions in the sport after competing at national levels for four years.

Alex has come a long way since he first took up the sport as a five-year-old.

Mum Catherine said: “It all started in the back garden when we got him a trampoline and at the age of five, he went for recreational classes and he got spotted as having a real talent.

“After going to a few clubs he is now at Salford Trampoline Club.

“He trains 18 hours a week on Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 8pm and also on Saturdays. He is through to the national finals in September at the Echo Arena in Liverpool after finishing first and achieve qualifying scores at a competition in Newcastle last weekend.

“He was the only person in the age-group (15-16 boys elite) that has qualified for the final this season.”

It has been a great year for the Year 9 pupil after winning the first and second round of regional schools competitions.

He followed it by being crowned National Schools Champion in March in Gateshead.

But so far the highlight has been being picked for the junior National B squad which involved spending a weekend at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Telford and working with the GB squad.

Catherine added: “He has been selected as one of four boys to compete for GB in the Junior Boys section at the Loule Cup competition in Portugal in September.

“The cost of going to the event is £1,000 for travel, expenses and kit.

“In September he hopes to trial for the Worlds Competition which is going to be held in Daytona Beach in Florida in November.

“This competition will also be self-funded and it is extremely hard being a child to raise the money.

“We are appealing for any local businesses to get behind Alex and sponsor him so he can reach his dream of representing GB.

“In the long term, he wants to go to the Olympics.”

- If anyone wants to help sponsor or support Alex then they should email: catherine. bradshaw1@yahoo.com