Challenging times for Somerset sports charity TS5C as Street swimmer looks to the future

Somerset's sports charity, TS5C, has had some tough decisions to make during the last couple of months.

For the first time in its 12-year history, it has put a temporary hold on the grants that help assist the county's young athletes.

Alan Gloak, chairman of TS5C, sai: "We are a small charity and finding funds is not easy.

"Unlike similar organisations, we are completely self-financing with no Government or local authority contributions.

"We had an exciting schedule of fundraising activities that, due to Covid-19, has had to be shelved for the time being.

"The knock-on effect of this has resulted in the difficult decision to halt grants for the next few months.

"We will resume normal services as soon as we are able. In the meantime, I am in regular contact with our young sports people and can only be inspired by the determination and spirit they are showing in this challenging time."

TS5C helps towards travel, kit and training costs for 14 to 24-year-old athletes who live and train in the county.

They compete at regional, national and international levels, and for many this is a crucial point in their sporting careers.

Brodie Williams, the 20-year-old swimmer from Street, was preparing to compete at Olympic trials for Team GB.

He said: "It's obviously an unusual and scary time for everyone.

"However, it gives me another year to come back fitter and stronger."

Brodie has relocated to the national centre in Bath under coach Jol Finck.

"I'm excited by the move," Brodie said.

"For the next four years I will be able to make senior teams and hopefully the next two Olympics, now that they will be just three years apart."

It is a disappointing time for 18-year-old rugby player, Jess Cooksey, from Axbridge. She was looking forward to the England U20s tour to the USA at the end of this month, plus a summer season of Rugby 7s.

Street's 18-year-old handball player, Joe Nelson, would have been preparing for a GB handball tournament in Portugal.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old wheelchair racer from Taunton, Jamie Edwards, should have been competing in Switzerland.

Instead, they are keeping up their fitness levels by cycling, running and in adapted home gyms.

Jess said: "The most important thing I can do now is to be fully prepared for the beginning of next season."

"I am proud to say that we have made a significant contribution towards necessary expenses for almost 150 young athletes in Somerset since we began in 2007," said Alan.

"We will continue to do so as soon as we are able."

For further information on the charity and the athletes, visit www.ts5c.org.