A GROUP is being set up by people in Accrington to help a Paralympic-hopeful achieve his dream.

Friends of the parents of 13-year-old Ethan Naisbitt have set up ‘Ethan’s Endeavour’ which looks to support the young athlete with his travel plans.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The youngster, who goes to Accrington Academy, suffers from several heart conditions, a curvature of the spine and needed two left leg amputations less than three days after he was born because of circulation problems.

The organisation held its first event at the weekend raising £750 with a psychic evening and potato pie supper at the Peel Park Hotel in Turkey Street.

Julie O’Hara set up the scheme alongside Jacqui Collins and Sue Johnson as they look to support Ethan and his family with the cost of travelling to compete in competitions.

Ethan’s mother Ann Naisbitt, 47, said: “It’s brilliant that they’re doing it.

“It makes it a lot easier on us and takes some of the onus off us.

“We would always make sure Ethan can go to these competitions and compete.

“We’re really proud of him but this just makes it that bit easier.

“We cannot thank them all enough, and they know that, they’re not doing it for publicity or anything, just to help out.”

The cost of Ethan, of Garden Street, Accrington, competing in events all over the country can result in him having to stay for several nights in a hotel.

His mother also said that swimming equipment for Ethan can at times cost a minimum of £250.

Ms O’Hara, 53, has experience in fundraising work on the Hyndburn Macmillan Committee, which she says will help with the fundraising group. The mother-of-three said: “There are so many people in our town that need help and encouragement.

“We just wanted to do something for someone local and I’ve known Ethan since he was just a baby.

“Depending on what we raise, we’ll see what we can do.

“He’s still growing at the moment, eventually we might be able to help him get better leg.”

“Jacqui has helped out a lot with East Lancashire Hospice fundraising in the past, and Sue at Macmillan, so between the three of us we know what will work and help Ethan.”

Ethan is on the ‘Para Spotlight programme’ as he looks to try to make his way into the Great Britain team for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

He has been helped in his training by the Daniel Bagshaw Memorial Trust, and studies at Accrington Academy and competes for the Pioneer 79 amateur club.

Last weekend he swam at the North West Regionals in Liverpool and achieved two personal bests and a bronze medal.