Help get Xan to the international speed skating competition in Li Shui City, China

My name is Xan, I am 13 and I am a speed skater.

I’ve been skating for a few years, and I have previously played roller hockey with the Nelson Whalers, but what I really wanted to do was just skate - fast. When the Nelson Speed Skating club restarted again at the rink 18 months ago, I was one of the first to join up. I have had an amazing first year. I have already qualified and competed at national level and was selected to represent New Zealand at the Oceania Speed Skating Championships in Toowoomba, Australia in April. Unfortunately, this competition was cancelled so I didn't get the opportunity to compete.

The New Zealand team that were going to travel to the Oceania competition have now just been offered the chance to travel to the Li Shui City International Open skating competition in China in August (21st-24th). That's only a few short weeks away and this will be my first international competition!

I am the only representative from the Nelson Speed Skating club who will be going but I'll be joined by other national and international level speed skaters from Timaru. I know it will be an amazing experience to go to China and also a valuable opportunity for me to train and compete with the top skaters and coaches in the country. I want to bring back medals and new skills to share with the rest of the Nelson team.

Making it to this level has been hard work but it’s what I want to do, so I’ve been training 5-6 times a week to be ready for this competition.

Getting to this competition is going to take more than training hard though, and I have started this campaign to help me raise enough money so I can compete. I only have a few weeks to raise the necessary funds but with my amazing coaches, parents and the team behind me, I really want to go for it!

I need to raise over $3000 to achieve my goal. Here is a breakdown of what I need:

Team Fees:

1/ Airfares $2100 (including transfers for Xan and one parent)

2/ $300 approx Hotel accommodation food included. 20th to 25th

3/ $135 for my Visa.

4/ $150 for Sports Insurance

Equipment:

I will also need the following to compete:

5/ Race wheels $200

6/ NZ uniform - $165

Supporting the Nelson team:

If we are fortunate enough to reach our target, any further money will be put into a fund to assist Nelson speed skaters with future competitions.

All my supporters are very special to me and I couldn’t do it without you! I will be sharing my journey on my Facebook page and other social media and also giving special thanks and progress updates to my supporters via weekly updates on this page.

Any amount you can pledge would be amazing, and thank you, it would mean so much to me to know you are helping me to achieve my dream.

For my lovely supporters who pledge $20+, I will give them a personal shout-out on my Facebook page and a special mention at the end of my weekly update video.

For my amazing supporters who pledge $100+, I will make a video just for you to say thank you and post this on my Facebook, campaign page and YouTube page.

For my special supporters who pledge $200+, if you can make it to Nelson, I will give you a 1 hour speed skating lesson and all the above.

For my fantabulous supporters who pledge $500+, as well as all the above, if you can make it to Nelson, my Dad will take you out for a tandem paraglider flight!

Feel free to ask me questions and I’ll reply by regular video updates on this page, or on my Facebook page.