A BROMSGROVE woman is desperately searching for a sponsor so she can make her Paralympic dream a reality.
Leanna Horne, who was born with Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy, has rapidly risen through the British ranks in seated club throw despite only taking up the sport last year.
The 27-year-old is now aiming to take part in the 2016 Paralympic Games but will not be able to compete unless she can find sponsorship.
Leanna said when she went away for a competition in the UK it cost around £150 for one weekend.
She added this became quite expensive especially when the number of events she needed to attend, in one season, started to reach double figures. And, this would only become higher when she needed to travel abroad for competitions.
In January, 2015, Leanna gained her international licence which allows her to compete in any seated throw competition in Europe – if she is successful there it may be possible for her to be selected for the 2016 Paralympic games.
In order for Leanna to take the next step and compete in European events she needs funding and the only way she can do this, prior to becoming an Elite Paralympic athlete, is through a sponsorship.
It all began when Leanna started seated shot-put in 2002 and quickly progressed to a national level as a junior.
Leanna, whose disability affects all four of her limbs and also has scoliosis – a curvature of the spine, became a senior contender in 2011 after she completed her degree at the University of Worcester.
She then, in 2014, started participating in the seated discus, seated club throw and shot-put categories – by the end of the year she was ranked second in the UK out of all the seated female club throw athletes.
She said: “A sponsorship would make my dream a reality, it is hard to scrap around and find the money in this country let alone internationally.
“If somebody could help me with the first stepping stones I would be so grateful, it would be such an experience for me.
“I’m seeking sponsorship to assist my ambition to compete at as many European and UK competitions as I can during this coming season, which will help towards making my Rio 2016 Paralympic dream a reality.
“Any help people are able to offer would be amazing.” she added.
Sponsors will be able to have their names and logos on Leanna’s kit or even on her wheelchair and throwing frame.
If you would like to sponsor Leanna e-mail [email protected] or call her on 01527 570078.
