Hi. I'm Josh, i'm a neurodiverse 15 year old and I live in Rushall, Walsall.

I currently competed competitively in Obstacle Course Racing and have been lucky enough to compete at OCR World and European Championships and many UK events and British Championships. In 2024 I joined my local Target Sport Club to enhance my training.

Photo: Biathle training at Liverpool Docks with NW PentaHub

As a member of Target Sport Burntwood (which is our local Pentathlon GB club) I started training in swimming and found my love of the water again. I work hard each week training in OCR, circuits, LaserRun, running and swimming. In 2025 I decided to compete in the Pentathlon GB sports including LaserRun and Biathle. I also swim along with my fellow TSB team mates for Burntwood Swimming Club. 

I was thrilled to compete at the National Biathle Championships, July 2025 in Weymouth and to have qualified to represent Great Britain at the 2025 World Biathle, Triathle and Laser Run Championships, December 2025 in South Africa.

I have been chosen by Pentathlon GB to compete in the under 17s Boys Biathle and the under 17s Biathle mixed relay.

Photo: 2nd place in the U17 Boys National Briathle Champs and qualification for the World Champs

Reading this, I just seem like a neurotypical teenager. However I am neurodiverse with a dual diagnosis of both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I am an athlete who actually finds engaging in sport and activity really difficult. Activity for me is a great way to refocus and escape from all the things I struggle in everyday life and especially at school.

Photo: run section of National Biathle Champs on Weymouth Beach

As a young child I found it difficult to interact with others in traditional sports, team sports were not suitable for me and I tried a lot of them!! I loved the water from a very young age (3 months old) and the freedom that I have swimming. In addition to my neurodiversity I am hypermobile and have dyspraxia which means I look a bit awkward when playing sport. However, I found enjoyment in kickboxing gained my junior black belt before I started racing OCR competitively. I have even represented my school in esports as I love gaming.

Photo: getting some run training in at parkrun.

Sadly our sport is self funded and this Go Fund Me page has been set up to gain sponsorship and funding in order for me to fulfill my dream and be on the start line in Mossel Bay, South Africa in December.

All donations will fund the following:

Travel - flights and transport - £1500

Accommodation - £600

Pentathlon GB kit - £250

Race entry fees - £130

Contribution towards Pentathlon GB coaching in South Africa - £60

Expenses - £500

*My fundraising target includes activities I am undertaking including clearing out a lot of my unused tech and toys. This will be reflected in offline donations.

Keep up to date with my activities and follow my progress on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/josh.lolly_cox

Thank you very much for reading this and for supporting my journey to South Africa. 

Josh 

Photo: Open water swimming training at Dosthill Quarry