A YOUNG Port Glasgow athlete dreaming of Commonwealth Games glory at Gold Coast 2018 is appealing for the Inverclyde public’s help to get him there.

Kyle Brotherton, a pupil at St Stephen’s High School, has competed in wheelchair races all over Scotland and the UK.

He has set his sights on competing at the Commonwealth Games in Australia but needs to prove himself at the Swiss Nationals in May to boost his chances.

The 17-year-old has no funding to get to Switzerland, so his family have organised a race night and are inviting the people of Inverclyde along to support him.

His proud mum Kerry, of Moorfield Avenue, said: “All the athletes going to the Swiss Nationals are chasing selection for the Gold Coast.

“So if Kyle goes there and puts good times down then that is a way to get noticed.

“Kyle doesn’t receive funding and the costs are high as we have entry fees, hotels and fuel to pay for.

“We’ve organised this race night to help.”

Kyle, left, says: “My aim is to compete at either the Gold Coast or the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020.”

Kyle was born with a rare condition called lumbo sacral agenesis which means that his lumbar sacrum and tail bone didn’t develop – but has never let his condition hold him back.

His mum Kerry added: “He loves his sport and loves competing. He is a fun-loving boy who strives to get the most out of his life.  He is an inspirational youngster who wants to get as far as he can with his sport and loves representing his country.”

Asked about the secret to his success, Kyle said it is all down to traditional Scottish fare. He said: “I love a roll and black pudding and I take Irn-Bru with me when I’m competing,”

As well as juggling his hectic training regime, Kyle is also studying for his Higher exams and is completing a part-time engineering course at college.

He said: “I’m really enjoying the course. One day I would like to be able to design wheelchairs.”

The race night is in Holy Family Chapel Hall next Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 and can be bought on the door.

Anyone who would like to donate prizes can email Kerry on 
kerry_brotherton2000@yahoo.com or phone her on 07985 309157.

People can also donate online to Kyle’s fundraising at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kerry-brotherton