OLYMPIC hopeful Patrick Sylla is leaping forward with the help of new sponsor Douch Family Funeral Directors.

The 19-year-old long jumper has his sights set on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and needs to be a full-time athlete to make it.

Already Sylla's personal best is 7.61m and he is ranked 18th in the country.

The support of Douch Family Funeral Directors will allow the former Harewood College pupil to focus entirely on his athletics career.

He has been ranked either first or second in the country in all age groups and is currently competing at indoor events before the start of the outdoor season.

Sylla said: “I have to make a lot of sacrifices to be a top athlete and I can’t do it without funding.

“It’s hard to get funding to reach the top which is why the support from Douch Family Funeral Directors is so important. I can’t thank them enough.

“It has enabled me to do a full winter training programme and, hopefully, I will extend my personal best during the outdoor season.”

Managing director Nick Douch said: “Patrick is a highly talented and dedicated athlete. Funding is not easy to come by, even for such a great prospect, so we were pleased to support him."