FIREFIGHTER Ian Finlay is one step closer to his dream of competing in the World Firefighter Games in South Korea thanks to Urenco.
But he needs to raise more money in order to register for the games before the May 31 deadline.
The Capenhurst-based uranium enrichment facility has agreed to provide some of the money the 42-year-old Little Sutton archer requires to fund his trip to the Far East to represent Great Britain.
Competing in this year’s competition – which takes place between August 21 and 29 – will be special for father-of-two Finlay because, after finishing third in the 2008 Games in Liverpool, he wants to test himself on foreign shores, in a nation where archery is the national sport.
“I am very grateful to Urenco for their support,” said Finlay. “But I still need to raise a lot more money in order to make the trip happen.
“I am optimistic I can get the funding, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m confident.”
Finlay has enlisted the help of Ellesmere Port MP Andrew Miller to try to find businesses or funds he can tap into to pay for the trip. He is still waiting to see if the Fire Service itself will be able to contribute through one of its funding bodies.
As a firefighter in Deeside, just over the border in Wales, he is also hunting for sponsorship from the Flintshire business community.
“To compete against some of the best archers in the world in the South Koreans would be a huge test and one I am really keen to take on,” said Finlay.
Two-time Cheshire indoor champion Finlay was a latecomer to the sport. He took it up in 2004 after trying it out as a bit of fun and found he had a real natural talent.
In 2008 after entering the World Firefighter Games for the first time, he trained like an Olympic archer and secured his bronze medal.
Domestically this year his success has continued as Finlay, a member of Cheshire County Bowmen, has fired his way into the Cheshire County archery team after achieving second place in the Cheshire Trials at Warrington on Sunday.
He will now travel to Worcester on April 26 for the first county outdoor match of the season.
