Nick Douch (right) and Patrick Sylla. Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors are sponsoring Patrick, 18, who is one of the country’s best long-jumpers.
One of the country’s most promising long-jumpers is being sponsored through his winter training by Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors.
Patrick Sylla, 18, is currently fifth in the senior rankings and number one in the under 20 category.
His longest jump is 7.61 metres (24.9ft) – a double decker bus is 31ft long – and he wants to become an Olympian
Currently he is studying for his ‘A’ Levels at Avonbourne Sixth Form in Bournemouth while working through a rigorous winter training schedule.
Nick Douch, MD of the funeral director group, hopes that Patrick will become an inspiration to other local aspiring athletes and sportspeople.
He said: “Patrick is an astonishing athlete and has achieved so much already
“By supporting him with his winter training we hope we will play a small part in his success this year.
“Patrick inspires a lot of other local youngsters and it’s great for the town to have a home-grown talent.
“I’d also like to encourage other businesses to get behind him.”
Patrick, who is studying economics, PE and English literature, said: “I’m very grateful to Nick for the support.
“Winter training is vital and the more professional I can be, the more success I will be able to achieve.
“This is the first winter in which I haven’t had an injury and the distances I have been achieving are very encouraging.”
Nick Douch (left) and Patrick Sylla. Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors are sponsoring Patrick, 18, who is one of the country’s best long-jumpers.
Douch Family Funeral Directors’ branches include Douch & Small, A E Jolliffe & Son, Albert Marsh, James Smith, Ives & Shand and Lesley Shand Funeral Service.
They’re based in Ferndown, Wareham, Poole, Upton, Wimborne, Swanage, Corfe Mullen and Blandford.
Avonbourne Trust – which comprises Avonwood Primary School, Harewood College, Avonbourne College and Avonbourne Sixth Form – has supported Patrick through his career.
Note to editors: Douch Family Funeral Directors have been helping families with funeral arrangements for over 100 years. Branches include Douch & Small, A E Jolliffe & Son, Albert Marsh, James Smith, Ives & Shand and Lesley Shand Funeral Service. They’re based in Ferndown, Wareham, Poole, Upton, Wimborne, Swanage, Corfe Mullen and Blandford.
Anyone wishing to support Patrick can contact Kathryn Loughnan at Avonbourne:
kathryn.loughnan@avonbournetrust.org.
Editor’s Note: For more information please contact: Ed Baker, Deep South Media, on 01202 534487, or Ed Baker on 07788392965.
