TALENTED local gymnast Finley Paul has received a cheque from Crediton Freemasons to help towards his training and travel expenses.

Finley (16), of Sandford, was selected to compete with Team GB in July in Portugal and returned proud to have achieved a sixth place in his first international competition.

He had just finished his GCSE’s at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Crediton.

His mum, Rachel Vowles, recently asked people and businesses in the local community if they could support Finley in his journey with Team GB.

A Crowdfunder helped to pay towards his travel expenses and kit, for which he was very grateful, and on his return he was also thrilled to receive a cheque towards his training costs from the Rotary Club of Crediton Boniface, and now has received further funding, a cheque for £200 from Crediton Freemasons.

Finley was nominated by Brother Alan Tonkin and the cheque was presented by Worshipful Brother Colin Wroth.

Rachel said about Finley: “As long as he has been able to walk Finley has been involved in competitive gymnastics.

“As a younger lad he was part of the South West Gymnastics Squad via Exeter Gym Club and achieved bronze position at the National Age Finals in 2016.

“After a difficult time with a change of coach, Finley moved over to trampoline gymnastics and specifically the double mini trampoline (DMT), an explosive form of gymnastics that involves a long run up (like a gymnastics vault) to a small angled trampoline onto which he jumps and then flies in the air landing in a small boxed space on the other side.

“He now trains with Exeter Trampoline Academy at Sowton in Exeter. He has been training in either artistic or trampoline gymnastics four days-a-week since he was eight years-old, racking up between 12 and 15 hours-a-week 50 weeks-a-year.”

Rachel added: “In the last year has had something of a meteoric rise, being invited to join the Junior England Squad back in September and then being invited to join the Junior Team GB Squad in December.

“We are exceptionally proud of him and all of his hard work in getting to this stage.

“He attends Squad training camps at Lilleshall National Sports Centre near Telford at least six times per year to train with his squad and also frequently visits Olga Gymnastics in Poole where he trains with one of the GB coaches there.

“He has hopes to compete for Team GB at the World Championships in Bulgaria in November.”

Rachel said she estimates it costs about £10,000 each year to complete his training and competitions.

Finley recently attended a GB training camp and this month hopes to compete in the British Championships.

Finley explained: “I would like to thank everyone who has supported me on my journey so far. I am extremely grateful for your kind and generous donations as every single penny helps me on my way to being a world class athlete. I am so proud to represent my country with team GB.”

To see Finley in action in a short video, visit: https://youtu.be/-hqdHP3FTL0 .

Donations can also be addressed to Finley Paul, c/o Crediton Courier, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.

For further details, email c/o: [email protected] .