Liz makes plea to help fulfil Olympic dream

Buy photos » Talented disabled athlete Liz Grinnell, 17, is looking for sponsorship to help get her a new throwing wheelchair in a bid to reach the 2016 Paralympic Games. Photo by Marcus Mingins 2112023MMR2 Order this picture online at www.buyphotos247.com

A TALENTED disabled athlete who will undergo heart surgery later this year has made a plea to the local community to help make her Olympic dreams come true.

Evesham High School student Liz Grinnell is on the look out for sponsors so she can get a new throwing wheelchair which will help her excel at athletic events and give her a better chance to qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil.

A new framed chair would help the talented teenager, who was born with cerebral palsy, move more accessibly while competing.

But because the chairs are specially made and expensive to buy, the determined teenager needs sponsorship help along the way.

The 17-year-old has had to suffer the heartbreak of missing out on this year's London's extravaganza after taking time out so she could have a vital heart operation.

Just last weekend Liz showed her promising talent by winning three gold medals at an event held in Coventry despite not having trained much.

Earlier this year she struck gold again at the UK School Games which was held at London's Olympic Stadium, the home of the Olympic games which kick-off next Friday (July 27).

Liz told the Observer that having a new and improved chair and making the next Paralympic games would help make up for missing out on this year's Paralympic games which start in August.

"I have always had to compete in just a normal wheelchair but after speaking to my coach and other people they said a new chair would help me make more progress," she said.

"I was extremely gutted when I knew I would be missing out on London 2012. To have represented Great Britain in my home country would have been a very proud achievement.

"It is a huge ambition of mine to compete in the Paralympic Games and it would be a dream come true for me. I would love to make it to Brazil, it would be an incredible experience.

"To get any help at all from local businesses or individuals willing to help would be absolutely fantastic. It would mean the world to me," she added.

Anyone who like to sponsor Liz is asked to e-mail her on lizgrinnell@live.com.

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