RESIDENTS and businesses across Thurrock are being invited to support a 14-year old borough student who is making waves in his chosen sport.

Finn Barker, from Orsett, who studies at St Clere's School, Stanford-le-Hope, has made the GB wakeboard squad despite competing against older enthusiasts.

Mum Jade says: "From the age of nine he discovered a love for wakeboarding after visiting Festival Leisure in Basildon with his Dad and Grandad. 

"From the very first day he took to the water we knew we had a star in the making. 

"Finn continued to ride at any given opportunity until late in 2023 Festival Leisure was forced to close its doors. 

"Finn really missed his wakeboarding so we decided to take him to one of the best and biggest cable parks in the world, Liquid Leisure, Windsor, where we are now traveling with him at least three days a week term time from Thurrock for him to train, and six days a week during any school holidays. 

"It was here that doors really started to open for Finnley. Brushing shoulders and riding with some of the best riders in the world, he really did start to show his true potential. 

"In early June Finn was ask to sign a full season contract for team GB. 

"This is something Finn has always dreamed of and I can not explain how hard he has worked to secure his spot on the squad. 

"This year Finn has to compete in the U18 Junior men's category, and being only 14 years old Finn is the youngest member of the GB team in this category. 

"Finn has recently had to go through a selection process with other young men in the same age group on team GB and we are so incredibly proud of him as he has been successful in securing himself a space on the team for the European Championships which are being held in Poland in August. 

"BWSW British Water Ski and Wakeboard are working hard to get cable wakeboarding into the Olympic games but until that point the sport has very little funding therefore the cost falls completely onto parent/guardians to fund athletes to compete and represent their country. 

"Considering there are several competitions each year that Finn will be expected to compete in, being able to provide Finn with these opportunities is going to come at a huge cost. 

"We are looking for any financial support or sponsorship from any local businesses who would be interesting in assisting a young GB athlete in following his dreams."

Jade can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by calling 07859073917.