Supercharge ParalympicsGB launched to raise funds for Rio
By Mike Patterson
Last Updated: 07/01/16 11:03am
A new campaign called 'Supercharge ParalympicsGB' has been launched to encourage the public to raise funds to help British athletes prepare for Rio.
For the first time, the British public can actively show their support for Britain's Paralympians through fundraising, donating funds and taking part in dedicated 'Supercharge' fan activity ahead of the Games in Brazil this summer.
The British Paralympic Association (BPA), a registered charity, has historically received some public fundraising support but the Supercharge ParalympicsGB campaign is intended take this to a whole new level to help take ParalympicsGB to Rio and beyond.
The funds raised will help prepare the team in the crucial final days before Rio and lay the ground for future success.
Paralympic legend and BPA patron Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson said: "The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be the toughest, most competitive Games yet and ParalympicsGB will need to be the best it's ever been to win the medals the nation craves.
"The team needs as much support and preparation as possible in the final crucial months of preparation to win those medals and ensure Great Britain continues to be a leading force in Paralympic sport over the next decade. I am delighted to be part of this campaign to ask the British public to give its support."
Double Paralympic silver medallist Libby Clegg believes the support can ensure more success this summer.
Clegg, who won a silver medal in the 100m T20 in Beijing and London, told Sky Sports News HQ: "From when I first started at the Paralympic Games in 2008, the interest was there, but not quite there. And then going into London I did not know what to expect and I'm pretty sure a lot of other athletes didn't, but the public really got behind us.
"It was really exciting, we got a whole new fanbase off the back of 2012 and it's really exciting with the Supercharge campaign for the public being more involved and feeling more a part of it, because for me what separated us from the Olympics is people got to know the ParalympicGB athletes before going into the Games.
"The public support was absolutely fantastic and it would be great for people to continue that support and be a part of potentially going from a silver medal to a gold medal by fundraising or donating."
