Help get Leah to the Rio Paralympic Games

Businesses across the Five Towns are being urged to help make wheelchair basketball star Leah Evans’ dream of competing in the Paralympics a reality.
Leah Evans has won a won gold medal in the under-25 Wheelchair Basketball Championships. She has also been selected for senior GB team for the European Championships in August.Leah Evans has won a won gold medal in the under-25 Wheelchair Basketball Championships. She has also been selected for senior GB team for the European Championships in August.
Leah Evans has won a won gold medal in the under-25 Wheelchair Basketball Championships. She has also been selected for senior GB team for the European Championships in August.

Leah, 18, is hoping to compete at next year’s event in Rio as part of Team GB despite only starting the sport two years ago.

But her family is currently having to fund trips to Worcester, where the team is based, for training.

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Leah, of Gypsy lane, Townville, said: “It would be an absolute dream to compete in Rio. I still can’t believe it myself that I might have this opportunity.

“I will be sat watching it on TV with my mum and say how amazing it is and she just says to me ‘that’s what you’re doing.’”

Leah, was born with a rare hip condition that restricted her growth and movement.

She defied the odds after being told, aged four, she would never walk, and was a passionate dancer who danced six times a week.

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Then, in 2012, she had a fall and was taken back to hospital where she was told she would need a wheelchair.

The teenager started wheelchair basketball in 2013 and she already represents the north of England schools’ team, as well as turning out for Sheffield Steelers and Team GB.

She was also part of the Team GB that won a gold medal at a World Championship tournament in Beijing last month.

Leah said: “I spend at least two weeks of every month in Worcester and it’s an awful lot of money.

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“The wheelchairs I use can cost up to £3,000 as well so it can get really expensive.

“We just want a little bit of help. Anything that anybody can give will make a huge difference and be greatly appreciated.”

For more information or if you would like to sponsor Leah call her mum Dawn Evans on 01977 519245.

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