Family’s appeal to help gymnast Jude Adams achieve his dream

Jude Adams, 14, from Poole, is competing internationally after devoting years to the discipline of tumbling.

But the sport attracts no funding and his hard-working Branksome family is struggling to cover the costs of training and competitions.

Mum Carley Adams said: "Jude took to gymnastics from the day I signed him up to a class at 14 months old.

"By the time he was five, people were telling me he had potential in the sport, and they couldn't believe how strong he was. He's been working at it ever since and is incredibly dedicated.

"Unfortunately, tumbling isn't yet an Olympic sport, so you can't get any official funding.

"The tumbling community is hoping the sport will become an Olympic event but in the meantime, it's hard to get sponsorship because it doesn't have the same profile."

Jude studies at Leaf Academy in Bournemouth, specialising in sports. He trains with a gymnastics coach, Mikey Barnes, at Poole Trampolining and Gymnastics Centre.

His parents take it in turns to transport him around the country for competitions. He is set to compete at the British Trampoline, Tumbling and DMT Championships in Telford in October as well as attending a training camp in Belgium and competing in the French Cup in Paris.

Jude's godmother, Lucy Culkin, has set up a page on the website GoFundMe in the hope of raising £5,000 towards the costs of training, travel, accommodation and entry fees.

Jude said: "We're reaching out to the community for support. Every contribution will help me cover the costs and bring me one step closer to my dream of becoming an Olympian and winning a gold medal for Britain."

Lucy – who runs the Winking Prawn restaurant in Salcombe, Devon – sponsors Jude herself. She said: "I've watched Jude develop into an inspiring athlete.

"He is determined, talented, and always strives to give his best, both in sports and academics. This is a fantastic opportunity for him, and we hope the community will rally behind him."