Triathlete Oscar Kelly says Loughborough University’s unique support network can help him ‘shoot for the stars’ and swim, bike and run his way to the Paralympic Games.

Kelly, from Redbridge, only started triathlon four years ago but embarked on a searing rise into the Great Britain Talent Squad within the same year.

He’s now in his second year at Loughborough University and studies Sports and Exercise Therapy away from the pool and road.

Kelly has loved his time in the Midlands and hopes being a sponge to those around him can propel him to Paris 2024.

The 20-year-old said: “I didn’t think I needed that much support until I came to Loughborough and started taking it more seriously.

“My parents, Yvonne and John, and sisters, Sophie, 25, and Anouska, 17, have given me so much support.

“But also, the para-tri community is so supportive and we’re all really close. You pretty much know everyone.

“My coach, Becky Hewitt, is the Paralympic Talent Coach with British Triathlon, who are based up here in Loughborough so it’s brilliant.

“She’s really great and encouraging and has helped me develop a lot.

“I made a really good friend, Charlie Stanton-Stock, from cycling when I was about 16, and he’s also a para-athlete so I related to him.

“He did triathlon and so introduced me to it – I decided to give it a go and now he’s a really good training partner.

“The Commonwealth Games next year is definitely a hope and Paralympics from there is the main target. I want to be the best that I can be, but I also want to be the best in the world.

“To be a world champion, going to the Paralympics, I want it all! It sounds like a lot, but I may as well shoot for the stars. Paris 2024 is a big goal for me.”

Kelly’s para-triathlon career has been fuelled by a partnership between SportsAid and Wall’s Pastry’s, with an innovative on-pack Wall’s promotion giving consumers a chance to win a handful of money-can’t-buy experiences.

The on-pack promotion launched earlier this month and involves 50p from every pack sold going towards supporting the next generation of SportsAid stars.

In 2019, Kelly finished second in the British Paraduathlon Championships and is looking forward to showing off his talent at international level when he takes to his first race abroad in a few weeks’ time.

He will descend on the World Cup in Spain and B3 star Kelly, who competes in the in the PTVI category for athletes with a visual impairment, admits the support of Wall’s and SportsAid has helped him scale the global heights.

He added: “SportsAid are so important to me. Triathlon’s an expensive sport and they really help me out with that.

“I spent money on a sports watch so I could track everything which has been really helpful for my training.

“Also with para-triathlon, you have your guides too so it’s not just one person, but two people so that we can train together.

“At the moment, I don’t have to pay for international competitions because I’m on the GB pathway, but domestic races when we have to stay somewhere. SportsAid’s money really helps – especially as a student!”

Wall’s Pastry is proud to be championing the next generation of UK athletes. For more information about Wall’s Pastry or the on-pack promotion, please visit www.walls-pastry.co.uk/