Para athlete's hope to get to 2028 Paralympics

Bob (left) is hopeful that Charlie (right) will make it to Los Angeles 2028

A coach is raising money for a Para athlete so she can compete abroad.

"England's best female frame runner" Charlie is hoping to make it to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic games, although her sport currently isn't included.

Coach Bob Purcell says it is difficult for the 22-year-old, from Gloucestershire, to compete abroad as it is expensive to transport her custom-made frame.

He hopes to raise £2,000 to support Charlie's Olympic bid.

Charlie, who has cerebral palsy, is not funded by Athletics UK, meaning she cannot compete abroad despite being "capable of representing the country at a high level" according to her coach.

'She's like lightning'

"She can't run in the 'normal' sense of the word but when she's supported in her running frame she's like lightning and certainly England's best female frame runner," Mr Purcell said.

Frame running is "athletics newest event" and sees Para athletes run using the support of a three-wheeled running frame, added Mr Purcell.

"Frame running is represented at national, European and world Para athletics championships," he said.

"The way our funding is structured is that funding only really goes to events that are represented at the Olympics or the Paralympics.

"Frame running isn't yet, it's in its developmental phase. But we are optimistic that in 2028 in Los Angeles it will be so we are just waiting for the news for that."

Mr Purcell said that Charlie will be "coming into her absolute prime" in four years' time.

'Expensive old business'

Funding will allow Charlie to enter high-level competitions by helping pay for transporting her frame.

Mr Purcell added: "She's a regular competitor locally and nationally. In fact, she's the reigning England champion at the 100m, 200m and 400m but when she rocks up at the national championships she's often uncontested - there's nobody quite like her.

"In order for her to compete against the best, that requires international experience, and because she's unfunded that makes it rather difficult for her and her mum, who is her principal carer, to afford that.

"It's an expensive old business."

The JustGiving page to raise funding for Charlie is less than £350 from reaching its target.