A LYCHPIT athlete has been selected to represent Great Britain at a global event next year.

Ciarán Kelly, 18, has been selected to compete in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games, which are going to be held in Abu Dhabi for the first time.

The former Dove House Academy pupil, who is a member of the Basingstoke Bluefins, will be among the seven swimmers selected to represent Great Britain.

He will be participating in the 1,500m, 800m and 400m freestyle.

Ciarán has previous competitive form in swimming, being part of the southern region team in the 2017 Special Olympic Summer Games in Sheffield.

Ciarán tasted success at that competition, as he won gold in the 1,500m freestyle, silver in the 200m freestyle, and bronze in the 400m freestyle and 100m fly.

He managed to gain personal best times in all the events that he competed in at the 2017 event.

The teenager has also previously won the Junior Disabled Sportsperson Award at the Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards.

The Games will be taking place in March 2019 and will include a week’s worth of competition in 24 sports.

Around 7,000 athletes, with approximately 2,600 coaches, will arrive in Abu Dhabi, with a potential audience of 500,000 people.

In order to participate at the Games in 2019, Ciarán will need to fund various costs to get him there and for training.

He will need to raise money for kit, support and coaching staff, accommodation, race fees, food and travel to and from Abu Dhabi.

Ciarán is aiming to raise a total of £2,500 and is now on the lookout for sponsorship.

To kick-start his campaign, Ciarán is taking part in the Basingstoke Lions Swimathon that will be taking place on March 3 at Basingstoke Sports Centre.

If anyone wishes to support the teenager by offering any sponsorship to help Ciarán get to the Games next year, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Ciaran-Kelly.

For more information or any other offers of sponsorship, contact Tony Bamberger on tony.bamberger@hotmail.co.uk.