“To recover and show what you can achieve is incredible, the determination it takes to fight back. He inspires us.”
“When he was a toddler Jake was in hospital for 30 days while being treated for meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia group B. The infection left him with cerebral palsy and he had to learn to sit up and walk again.
“We initially contacted Meningitis Now to get more information following Jake's release from Hospital. We were given a leaflet by one of the intensive care nurses.
“We found the support given very useful, especially at a time when we were struggling to find any useful advice.
“Just having someone to listen to us as well as attending family days and hearing other family stories really helped us move forward.
“Regular contact with a Community Support Officer led to us to being asked to become involved in the campaign to introduce the Meningitis B vaccination in 2013.
Dream to represent Team GB
“Jake is now 19 years old and plays table tennis for Wales and Great Britain and has an ambition to represent Team GB at the Paralympics.
“Jake has always been into sports and loved football, Taekwondo and swimming while growing up. But it was during a family holiday when he tried table tennis for the first time. After the holiday we found a local club where he could start his career in the sport.
“He started playing at Gwent Table Tennis club (who play at Cwmbran Stadium) and at the age of eleven was spotted by someone at Disability Sport Wales.
“He was invited to a trial where coaches of Table Tennis Wales and British Para Table Tennis were present. Jake has been a member of Table Tennis Wales and British Para Table Tennis Future squads ever since.
“Lockdown caused a major issue for Jake and the lack of training to stay strong led to him losing the ability to walk again.
“Following the relaxing of lockdown and with his determination and extremely hard work in the gym, he got back on his feet.
Hand-to-eye coordination is incredible
“His hand-to-eye coordination is incredible. His disability affects both his legs and his core. His mobility is much reduced.
“We put a gym in the garage and he worked so hard in there trying to get stronger and on his feet.
“Last September, due to his dedication, he was selected by British Para Table Tennis to represent Great Britain at the Finland Para Open.
“His performance in Finland had impressed selectors and he was offered a place in Sheffield to train alongside the Great Britain performance squad.
Train at the top level
“Jake transferred his studies to Sheffield Hallam University so he could train at the top level and continue his course.
“We’ve been so fortunate that he seems to have an ability for something he truly loves. People have supported him and have helped and encouraged him, and we’ve been incredibly lucky. He puts in a lot of training, hours and hours, a big commitment.
“Recently Jake flew out to represent Great Britain at the Montenegro Para Open. This year he hopes to play in tournaments in both Brazil and Hungary.
He inspires us
“We were told he was 15 minutes from dying. To recover from that and show what you can achieve is incredible, the determination it takes to fight back from those setbacks. He inspires us.
“At one point in his life his bones were growing bigger than his legs could stretch. It left him pretty much immobile. But his attitude was ‘I’m not going to let this get the better of me’. He worked his socks off. Even when he’s in pain, it won’t stop him training.”
Jason and Alison also praised the support Jake gets from Gwent Table Club with weekly practices and the opportunity to play against older players with experience and different styles.
Jake’s table tennis travel, kit and training costs are currently self-funded. Could you or your business help him towards his Paralympian ambition? If you can help and want to find out more about sponsoring Jake you can contact Jason via email
