A SPRINTER is facing a race against team to fulfil his Paralympic dream.

Rising athletics star Reece Palmer must raise £1,000 to travel to a championships held in Normandy, France, next month.

If successful, the 19-year-old could take a huge step towards competing in Rio in 2016 and, in doing so, fulfil a lifelong dream.

The teenager, who can cover 60 metres in just over seven seconds, is a student on the Supported Employment programme at New College Durham.

Reece, from Pelton Fell, is a member of Chester-le-Street Athletics Club and competes in the 100 and 200 metres.

He said: “I’ve been running for the last five years, after my Dad suggested that I joined a running club, and I train five days a week.

“I love running and I am very excited about going to the championships.

“The staff at New College, Durham have been brilliant about helping me raise the money I need.”

All proceeds from the College’s Summer Carnival, which takes place on Wednesday, June 11, will be donated to the cause while a number of challenges, which include penalty shoot-out, Wii bowling and tug-of-war competitions, have been organised to add to the total.

College lecturer Karen Ridley said: “He is an excellent student and very resilient. He tries his best at whatever he does and is always smiling.

“We are very proud of his achievements and we are supporting him in any way we can to help him succeed in his Paralympic dream.”

To make a donation to Reece please visit www.everyclick.com/sprintforglory/info.