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Leeds classmates row width of Channel to aid Paralympics 2012 dream
Matthew Hickling.
Sports students flexed their muscles and rowed the length of the English Channel to help make their classmate’s Olympic dreams come true.
Students from Leeds City College pulled together to raise money for a special wheelchair to help fellow student Matthew Hickling reach the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Matthew, 18, from Rodley, has cerebral palsy which affects his arms and legs.
The teenager is unable to walk long distances but dreams of being selected to represent his country in the Paralympic Games this year.
The determined teenager started competing in wheelchair sprints over six years ago and trains daily at the John Charles Centre for Sport.
Now he needs to raise thousands of pounds to jet out to America to buy a specialist chair to help him fulfil his wish.
Matthew said: “I didn’t really have to say anything to my class they just said that they would do something to help.
“It will be my first Paralympics if I manage to get selected so it’s very scary but it is something I have been looking forward to for quite a while.”
Matthew recently scooped a bronze medal in the Junior World Championships in Dubai.
He is currently ranked sixth in the world and was only a 10th of a second off his nearest competitor.
Matthew added: “It was quite a big achievement because it was the first time I ever wore the GB kit and the first time I competed abroad.
“I’m only 18 and still have got a lot more growing to do.
“It would mean so much to me because I have put in so much effort into getting here.
“To get to London would be out of this world.”
A team of 20 Level Three Sports Performance and Excellence students rowed over 50 miles on dry land to help raise money for Matthew.
Tutor Kevin Traynor praised their efforts and said: “When we heard about Matthew’s bid, the class wanted to help however they could.
“It was really good to see them helping him and we encouraged them to get involved.”
To help raise or donate money for Matthew or to offer sponsorship contact Sarah Towns on 0113 284 6411
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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