A BUDDING young sportsman is hoping to find a sponsor to help reach his dreams of taking part in the Paralympics.

Ethan Bates, 14, suffers from cerebral palsy and has found his passion in Boccia, a game played by competitors with a physical disability.

A Weydon School student, Ethan played football but had to give up as his condition grew worse.

Despite this, Ethan’s mother encouraged him to find “something he could both participate and compete in”.

She said: “Ethan absolutely loves Boccia. He does not feel any different, which is what we wanted.

“He has made so many friends who are all very encouraging.”

While Ethan has only been playing Boccia for a year and a half, he was scouted at the Surrey Youth Games before joining the Scorpions Academy and playing in national games.

However, despite his aspirations, mother Sarah is concerned about the costs surrounding Ethan’s Paralympic bid.

She said: “We saw it as a little hobby and it has come to this, which we did not mind but we did not realise how expensive it was.”

The family are now looking to fund the costs but hope that a sponsorship will assist with a “contribution towards competition fees, accommodation, travel and kit costs”.

Ethan has also received state-of-the-art Boccia balls donated to him by the Farnham Lions. He is also looking to take part in national competitions taking place in Scotland and Poland.

For information on how to sponsor Ethan, contact his mother Sarah Bates on 07817 964639.