AN Ashton business has stepped in to help Stalybridge’s Anya Waugh in her pursuit of para-athletic glory.
Gibson & Ryan Electrical Services, which are based at Wharf Business Centre, have given £1,000 to the 16-year-old who is a rising star of the track whose ambition is to compete at the Paralympics.
But success comes at a price with dad Chris estimating it costs about £5,000 annually to cover the cost of competing, training and equipment.
Her racing chair alone costs £6,000 and tyres she often needs one or two new tyres each month which each cost £100.
“The tyre pressure is 160 psi (cars are usually about 30-35) so they are popping all the time,” explained Chris.
“Disabled sport is kit rich and not like ordinary athletics when you just need a pair of running shoes.
“You need a lot of equipment which is expensive, and it is a financial burden on top of day-to-day living.”
Chris added the sponsorship will help ease the financial pressure.
“Thanks to Gibson & Ryan the sponsorship which is a massive help because Anya receives no funding as she is not an elite athletic,” he said.
“It costs about £5,000 annually to compete in this country. We have put off going abroad because it would be even more.”
Travel and accommodation is expensive, especially with fuel prices at record highs.
Dad Chris explained that a recent weekend competing at a grand prix event at Stoke Mandeville alone cost £350.
And May also had trips Loughborough and Birmingham where she took part in her debut in a Diamond League meeting which was televised live.
Chris added there is the cost of training which includes one weekly trip to Liverpool where she is coached at Kirkby Athletics Club by para-legend Hannah Cockcroft and her partner Nathan Maguire who is also a champion para-athlete.
He said: “Training with Hannah and Nathan has made a massive difference to Anya, and I liken it to being coached by Usain Bolt.
“They know what is needed to reach the top and push Anya to the limit. The sessions they put on are of the highest quality.
“Kirkby is a club full of talent and winners and that has rubbed off on Anya.”
She also trains at Woodbank Park, Stockport, having previously been a member at Stockport Harriers.
Anya, a pupil at Hyde High School, continues to see rewards for her efforts and at Stoke Mandeville clocked personal best times for the T54 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m.
That included a first-ever sub-20 second time for the 100m which was a notable landmark.
Anya, who has been competing since she was eight, has already competed at a couple of British Championships, making her debut in them aged 14.
Hannah, who has five Paralympic gold medals and 12 world championship golds, wrote on her Facebook page at the time: “Fourteen years old and racing at the British Championships.
“We have some hard work to do this winter, but watch this face, she’s going to be a star.”
Chris said: “Anya was inspired through Hannah to take up competing.
“It is a dream for Anya to be coached by Hannah and the hope is that it will help move her to the next level.”
Anya, who was born with spina bifida and has limited lower limb function, revealed Hannah’s exploits made her want to take up racing.
It was the London 2012 Paralympics that inspired Anya to become a para-athlete after her parents Nicola and Chris took her the following year to a sports festival in Sheffield where she tried out disabled sports and plumped for track events.
Anya, a former pupil at Yew Tree Primary, Dukinfield, said: “Hannah, who was my idol, was there. It was with Hannah that I first got into a race chair, and we chatted a little about London 2012 and posed with her gold medals.
“She is the reason I wanted to try wheelchair racing and is absolutely a hero to me. And it is a dream now to be coached by her.”