A WIRRAL 19-YEAR-OLD is set to be the only representative for Great Britain at World Deaf Swimming Championships - but needs Globe readers' help to get there.

Nathan Young, from Wallasey, has been selected to participate in the fifth annual championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 25 to 31 August but due to a lack in funding, Nathan needs to secure £5,000 in order to take part.

Nathan, 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.

In the UK, athletes who are deaf receive no Government funding at all - something which Nathan and his family are desperate to change with his parents doing everything they can to highlight the feat that deaf athletes are facing.

A GoFundMe page has now been set up by Nathan and has so far raised £1,030 of the £5,000 target.

On the page, Nathan said: "I am demoralised.

"What this means for me is that even though I put everything into my swimming, training to my very highest level, accumulating 20 plus hours a week, I am given no choice but to raise money in order to represent my country.

"The funding needed is miniscule compared to the huge funds given to the Olympic, Paralympic and Special Olympic athletes.

"In what way is it right to say that the only type of athlete who doesn’t get government funding is a deaf athlete?

"GB have been unable to put a team together and therefore I have made the decision to compete alone and will be the only swimmer representing my country and gaining further vital experience of competing internationally.

"A decision fully backed by my coach Martin Brooks of Wirral Metro Swimming Club.

"Having already gained a bronze medal in the Deaflympics held in Turkey in 2017, I have been training hard and with the next Deaflympics only being two years away, it is imperative that I compete against my deaf peers, some of the best athletes in the world, in order to further my placing in the world of Deaf Swimming.

"I will be competing against fully funded swimmers whose countries believe and acknowledge their commitment to their sport."

Nathan currently holds 15 records in deaf swimming but needs all the help he can get to travel to Brazil and change the Government's perception of deaf athletes.

He continued: "As I am the only GB swimmer competing I have also had to organise my own coach to not only support me but assist me.

"This was not an easy decision as it had to be someone with knowledge of how best to communicate with me and someone I can trust.

"I have known Steve McQuilliam, Sports Scientist for a number of years and after gaining a place at John Moores University in September studying Sports & Exercise Science, I obtained a scholarship which means I receive support in my chosen sport.

"For me it meant I gained one to one swim specific gym training and it is here how I met up again with Steve.

"Obviously having Steve at my side means I am also having the extra task of now funding both myself and my coach which will amount to approximately £5,000.

"Disappointing considering I am representing my country but without their support.

"I would really appreciate any donation or sponsorship you could offer to help with my funding."

To help Nathan, please donate via https://www.gofundme.com/send-nathan-to-brazil