Trampolining Tranmere teenager Luke Strong sets £2,000 fundraising target for pre-Olympics competition

Aug 12 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

TRAMPOLINING Tranmere teenager Luke Strong is hoping to bounce his way to the Olympics.

The talented 15-year-old has had a meteoric rise in the sport since being introduced to it in 2005.

He went along to the Trampoline Youth Club in Tranmere “looking for something to do” and was soon picked up by the City of Liverpool Trampolining Squad.

After starting at Grade 4, Luke progressed to Grade 1 – the highest grade – in just six months.

He has now set his sights on competing in a World Class Trampolining Championship in Russia in November for those training to be in the Olympics – but in order to make the trip, he needs to raise £2,000.

Luke, who is the oldest of four children and attends Park High School, said: “I am so grateful to the people who enable me to continue with a sport that I love.

“I’m totally dedicated to it and I’m proud to represent my country and hope to be able to do that for a long time.”

Luke has represented Britain on several occasions and has just returned from competitions in Birmingham and Holland.

But leotards alone can cost him £85 and tunnel fees to get to training are £1,700 a year.

Barbara Dunn, secretary of the Tranmere Action Group – which founded the young people’s trampolining group – said: “We are astounded by what a natural talent Luke is.

“We work very hard to fundraise for whatever Luke needs to enter the competitions. It’s very expensive but we don’t believe when you’re as talented and committed as Luke that your background should hinder your ambitions.”

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