A YOUNG man from Frome has been selected to compete in the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Mexico and now needs to raise £3,000 to fund the trip.
Benjamin Sommerville will be representing Team GB in the under 20s ITU Sprint Distance Triathlon World Championships which takes place in September in Cozumel, Mexico.
Benjamin, who is currently the triathlon South West regional 15-19 year-old champion, has to fund the entire trip himself.
Benjamin said, “I only found out I had qualified a few weeks ago, so I have a very short period of time until the event to obtain as much financial sponsorship and fundraising as possible. If I can’t raise the money, I won’t be able to compete.
“I need to raise £3,000 for the event which will cover my own travel, accommodation, race entry fees and Team GB kit and other training essentials. I have had a few kind donations from family so far, but I am looking for potential long-term sponsors to support me with the ongoing costs of training, race entry fees and equipment.
“As of this August, I would have been doing triathlon for only three years. At the start of this journey I would not have thought that I would actually be competing at the world championships, but I certainly hoped to. So to get to this point really is a dream come true.
“Like many athletes, the chance to represent your country at the highest level possible is a great personal achievement and an honour I will never forget.
“This opportunity means a great deal to me, as it recognises my commitment to my sport and to the hundreds and hundreds of hours I sacrifice to training and competition. And now that I have reached this level, I aim to maintain this position and continue to compete on the world stage and pursue greater results year after year.”
Benjamin is currently studying history at Loughborough University but when he is back in Frome, he is a member of Frome Swimming Club and Frome Triathlon Club.
Benjamin continues, “Both Frome Triathlon Club and Frome Swimming Club have been incredibly supportive of me since I began competing in triathlon and have always provided high quality training and social environments. Their passion for sport continues to motivate and inspire me at home and when away at university.”
If you are a local business that would like to sponsor Benjamin then get in touch via his website: http://bsommervilletri.blogspot.co.uk
