***Oliver knows which photos have not been used before.
CHARLEY Dyson is the world’s youngest paid professional scooter rider.
The Wombwell youngster, who honed his skills at a Brampton skate park, has taken part in competitions all over world.
In March, he competed in the in the European ISA qualifier against children more than twice his age.
He has now been put forward for a Proud of Barnsley award for his dedication to his chosen sport.
Mum Delise Hardy, of Rectory Close, Wombwell, said she was ‘proud as punch’ that he had been nominated.
She added: “I’m so proud of him, he really loves it and enjoys it. He practises every other day.
“I think he likes that it helps him to keep fit and because he knows he’s good at it. He’s got so much confidence in regards to it, as soon as he gets on his scooter, he’s off.
“Charley is a friendly, approachable, happy little boy who has patience for everyone. He loves to teach kids at the skate parks we visit. As a lot of people know who he is due to the powers of social media he is constantly stopping for pictures and autograph requests. It’s pretty surreal as he is only eight, but he never ever complains, he always smiles and stays very grounded.”
Delise said it all started in October 2013 when Charley was five and he received a scooter as a Christmas present. When Dexx skate park opened in Brampton, Charley started going every weekend. This soon turned into every day.
He found he enjoyed it and was quite good at it, and would watch videos on the internet and practise relentlessly.
He started to ride with older kids to boost his confidence and soon started entering competitions.
In December 2015, Charley was made a paid professional scooter rider by a worldwide company called MGP. He has a clothes sponsor Praiseworthy and is supported by Dexx. He believes all three have helped him get to where he is now.
Charley’s skills have attracted media attention both at home and internationally.
He was featured as one of the child prodigies on NBC’s Little Big Shots after being headhunted by the American TV studio which paid for him to embark on a ten days, all expenses paid trip to LA to film in October last year.
He was interviewed by host US comedian Steve Harvey and had the chance to show off his tricks in a custom-built series of ramps created just for him in the studio.
Charley will also feature CBeebies on November 12, and has just returned from Antwerp in Belgium where he recorded for Little Big Shots Belgium. He has also been invited to the UK and German editions of the show.
But the thing Delise and Charley’s dad Andy are most proud of is the support he gives to Dexx. Every Monday he helped teach kids how to ride their scooters, built their confidence and helped them interact with other children.
Delise added: “I’m probably biased but Charley deserves this. He has worked so hard in the past couple of years. His dream is to continue to help kids less fortunate than him and to be a huge star in the scooter world.
“He recently gave his first ever professional scooter to a little boy who came to Dexx, as it was his birthday and he loved this particular scooter. He also gave two children he met in Scotland some parts as they couldn’t afford new ones. He really is a superstar.”
Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle
