A YOUNG Wirral swimmer who will fly the flag for England this summer says he is “lost for words” after Globe readers contributed hundreds of pounds towards his trip to America.

Nathan Young, from Wallasey, is one of 15 swimmers who will take the plunge after being selected to represent Team GB Deaf Swimming Club at the World Deaf Swimming Championships in Texas this August.

The 15-year-old, who began swimming at the age of nine, is profoundly deaf as a result of a genetic condition which has seen his hearing deteriorate rapidly since being diagnosed as a toddler.

Nathan – who attends Kingsmead School - is required to self-fund the £2,500 trip to Texas and following an appeal in the Globe, he is one step closer to achieving his dream.

He was presented with a cheque for £500 from the Wirral YMCA last month for the trip after being recognised as a YMCA Ambassador and was today handed several more cheques – sent in by Globe readers – totalling £475.

Nathan - a member of Bebington Swimming Club – said: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone for their support. When I received the money from people I’ve never met but who want to help me pay for my trip to Texas, I was lost for words.

“£2,500 is a lot of money. Now, with the kind help of your readers, together with donations I’ve received from the YMCA, family, friends including Lucy Chittick who has just completed a 5K run, and others who wish to remain anonymous, we are nearly there and only about £1,000 away – amazing.”

Last November, Nathan underwent a double cochlear implant operation but was back to his full six days a week training almost immediately.

Proud mum Lisa told the Globe that Nathan’s deafness makes it difficult for him to socialise, listen to music, go to the cinema or talk on the phone, with swimming his “normal”.

Wirral Globe:
Nathan with his nans, who are both very proud of their grandson.

He only returned to swimming in 2013 after an 18 month hiatus, something that Lisa says makes her son’s success even sweeter.

Lisa, who described the trip as an “opportunity of a lifetime”, said: “How heart-warming it is to know that people want to support your child to fulfil their dream. It brought tears to my eyes.

“Only a few years ago Nathan was in a very different place. What he’s been through no child should ever be in that position.

“I’m hoping others will find inspiration to follow their dreams. For Nathan, hopefully this is the beginning of the rest of his life – we are so proud of him.”

Nathan will have to complete an individual training log each month in the run up to August so his head coach can monitor his progress.

Lisa added: “We always knew he would be chosen but we just didn’t realise it would be so soon – we’re so very proud of him.

“Since Nathan has been chosen we have become more aware of the barriers deaf people have in sport.

“Deaf athletes in other countries are treated on par with other Olympians and therefore this will mean that Nathan will be competing against people who have the best training, support and expertise.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Nathan or making a donation should send a cheque made payable to Nathan Young to the Globe's offices at:- Wirral Globe, Haymarket Court, Hinson Street, Birkenhead, CH41 5BX.