Wightlink helps young Island athlete continue national sporting success

Nine-year-old Sporting Opportunities Isle of Wight athlete Jake Burton has been given a boost in his bid to compete at national level after Wightlink donated £3,000 to fund a bespoke Frame
Runner.

Jake’s remarkable debut at the Activity Alliance National Championships at Warwick University saw him win gold in the shot put, followed by a second gold in his first-ever Frame Running race
using a frame borrowed for the event.

Jake, who has cerebral palsy, first discovered Frame Running at a taster session organised by Sporting Opportunities on the Island. Frame Running uses a three-wheeled frame, with the athlete supported by a saddle and body plate. The athlete uses their feet to propel themselves forward, while steering through movement in their hands and arms.

After meeting Jake at a Wightlink in the Community event and hearing about his recent success and passion for Frame Running, Wightlink stepped in with a £3,000 donation so he could have
his own, bespoke Frame Runner. The specialist frame will be built on the Isle of Wight by Ventnor-based engineer Simon Wearing and is expected to be ready for Jake to use later this year.

Steve Exley, Wightlink’s Finance Director, said: “I was incredibly inspired by Jake when I met him at our Wightlink in the Community event earlier this summer. His determination, natural ability and sheer enjoyment of the sport really stood out, and we wanted to find a way to help him progress. Working with Sporting Opportunities Isle of Wight, we’re delighted to be able to provide Jake with a Frame Runner built specifically for him, and we can’t wait to see him using it later this year.”

Jake Burton said: “I’m excited to be able to use a Frame Runner again, I really like running as a sport and I love that Wightlink has bought one for me, so thank you to Wightlink.’

Deborah Percy, from Sporting Opportunities Isle of Wight, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Wightlink, not only for their continued travel support, but also for the genuine interest they take in our charity and, of course, our wonderful athletes. This generous donation will make such a difference to Jake as he embarks on more competitions. By investing in young athletes like Jake, Wightlink is helping to create opportunities, inspire ambition and nurture the sporting stars of tomorrow.”

Sporting Opportunities Isle of Wight is one of 45 Island organisations to receive cross-Solent travel support through the Wightlink in the Community initiative. Find out more here: https://www.wightlink.co.uk/community

Find out more about Sporting Opportunities Isle of Wight here: https://soiw.org.uk/

Find out more about Frame Running here: https://cpsport.org/frame-running/