Squash loving Charlie climbs to number 3 spot in England at only 8 years old

Please meet Charlie who was awarded a Postal Family Fund Rising Stars bursary to support his squash dreams. Charlie has just turned 8 and is ambitious to get to the number 1 ranking in England.  We spoke to his dad Ian about how the bursary has impacted the family.

Why did you apply for the Postal Family Fund bursary?

I applied for Charlie as even though he is only 8yr old his desire to get better at squash is unbelievable. Charlie has always had a natural sporting talent and started playing squash at the age of 5.  He played in his first competition a year later. He practises up to 5 times a week. Charlie really does want to get to number 1 in England. However, to enter squash tournaments, we have to pay for fuel, food, hotels and competition entry fees. We applied for funding to help so that he doesn’t have to miss out on championships and competitions.

What impact has the bursary had?

The impact is massive. If Charlie wants to achieve his number 1 ambition or win the British championships in October/November then we must travel further from home to enter bigger competitions with bigger ranking points available to collect. This funding means we can now do this and we as a family are gobsmacked with how much help we’ve received.

Charlie won his first competition aged 6 and has never looked back. This July he’ll be going for 3 in a row in his club junior championships.  But Charlie’s main target and ambition this year is to become British champion.  These championships are held in Sheffield in October. Without the bursary, entry into this wouldn’t be possible alongside the hotel and other costs.

What would you like to say to other postal workers thinking about applying for a Rising Star bursary?

I will definitely be recommending this to colleagues. It’s a fantastic help and opportunity for kids of any talent to push forward and improve.  Not only does Charlie get the opportunity to realise his ambition but this also gives him the chance to mix with other kids of similar age and make friends from different parts of the country.