THE St Helens Darts Academy has expressed its delight after another series of success stories.

Four youngsters from the academy will be going to Gibraltar for the Junior Darts Corporation (JDC) finals later this month.

Jack Boardman, Harry Gregory, Luke Littler and Charlie Voorhees will all fly out with the finals starting from September 25.

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Luke Littler is among the youngsters going to Gibraltar

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Harry is also celebrating selection for England.

The youngsters even received help from the community, across the country and even overseas to help fund their journey to Gibraltar.

St Helens Star:

Charlie Voorhees

Karl Holden, of the academy, said: "When they qualified obviously we were delighted. A slight stumbling block was they needed to find more than £500 each just to go and Dawn Holden, from A180, got stuck into various people and organisations for financial help to help cushion the costing for them, and their parents to go, to represent themselves and our darts academy.

"The response was fantastic with money from the St Helens Rotary Club, Sidac Club and £300 donated by two guys from Durham, one who runs a firm called Buzzing Property Maintenance.

"A few darts players helped out and even a man from Germany called Uve who donated £100."

Meanwhile, as already reported by the Star 15-year-old Eleanor Cairns has qualified for the World Youth Darts Masters for the third successive time to mark another success for the academy.

"She is also one of the best youth ladies player in the UK and a very highly ranked and respected girl," added Karl.

"Always the first name on the sheet for Lancashire Youth these days, we are sure she will be playing for England in the near future."

St Helens Star:

Eleanor Cairns

Meanwhile, the youngsters were given a special bit of inspiration before they travel from another successful local darts star.

Disabled darts ace Michael Callaghan, from Sutton Leach, triumphed in the final of the England Darts masters. In the live-streamed final he won in style against Andy Quinn with an impressive average and once wiring the bullseye for a 161 finish

Michael has now gone on to qualify for the Disabled World Championships later on in the year.

St Helens Star:

Michael after his win

And he popped into the Darts Academy to cut the youngsters' 'Good Luck' cake.

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