Hi, my name is Sam, and I'm raising funds to help my good friend's son, Jack Gibson, take the next step on his journey towards the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

At just 17 years old, Jack has already achieved what many athletes only dream of, representing Australia on the international stage in Para Triathlon.

I had the privilege of watching Jack compete in Hamburg at the World Para Triathlon Series (WTPS), where he lined up against the world's best adult para triathletes.

Watching him race was inspiring. Despite competing without the specialist Time Trial (TT) bike that many of his competitors rely on, Jack finished fourth. In fact, he has finished fourth at his last two World Para Triathlon Series races. With the right equipment, those results could very well have been podium finishes.

Earlier this year, Jack also became the 2026 Oceania Para Triathlon Champion, proving that he isn't just chasing a dream he already has the talent, dedication and ability to compete with the very best.

Jack lives with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a degenerative nerve condition that affects the strength and movement of both his arms and legs. Despite the daily challenges this presents, he has spent more than a decade training, overcoming obstacles with unwavering passion for his sport.

For many elite athletes, sponsorship helps cover the enormous costs of competing at the highest level. Unfortunately, that's rarely the reality for para athletes.

Despite their extraordinary achievements, para sports often receive far less media exposure and commercial attention than mainstream elite sports. As a result, securing sponsorship is incredibly difficult, leaving many talented athletes and their families to shoulder the financial burden themselves.

How you can help...

To compete on a level playing field, Jack needs a custom-built, high-performance Time Trial (TT) bike and specialist equipment.

This bike is not a luxury, it is essential equipment that will allow Jack to compete fairly against the world's best athletes, improve his cycling performance, conserve energy for the run leg, and earn the international ranking points needed to qualify for future World Triathlon events.

The total cost of this equipment is $25,000. Every dollar raised will go directly towards helping Jack access the equipment he needs to compete at the highest level.

Every donation, no matter the size, will bring Jack one step closer to achieving his Paralympic dream.

If you're unable to donate, sharing Jack's story with your family, friends and community would mean just as much.

I know first hand how special Jack is, and after watching him compete in Hamburg, I couldn't just stand by knowing that something as simple as the right equipment could stand in the way of his dreams.

Thank you for helping Jack take the next step towards representing Australia on the world's biggest stage.