GB Paralympics team launches fundraising campaign in support of Rio games
The British Paralympic Association (BPA) has launched its biggest public funding campaign in order to generate support and raise funds for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio.
The Supercharge ParalympicsGB campaign has been developed by London creative agency RKCR/Y&R and includes a short film highlighting some of the team’s successes at the last Olympics, stating “how far we go depends on you.”
A number of the ParalympicsGB athletes are supporting the push including runner Jonnie Peacock, powerlifter Ali Jawad and tennis star Jordanne Whiley.
Clare Balding, Eddie Izzard and Alex Brooker have also voiced their support to the cause and have rallied the public to support the stars.
The hashtag #Supercharge is being used to promote the funding drive across social and is accompanied by text donations which the Paralympic Association hope will help fund the expenses for Rio and beyond.
We need your support to be the best we can be on the final leg of our journey: https://t.co/XGyTb0vCSZ #Supercharge pic.twitter.com/fd7kaUAHPh
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) January 7, 2016
Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of the BPA, said the organisation has “incredible support already from the National Lottery and UK Sport, but the crucial final part of the journey to Rio requires as much funding as possible to ensure the team are ready for success.”
Paralympic legend and BPA patron Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson expressed the importance of the funds in relation to success in Rio.
She said: “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.”
BBC sport broadcaster Clare Balding said that in order for ParalympicsGB to attain similar success to the London games “they will need to make sure that everything they do is world-class so that they can produce those world class performances.”
Actor and comedian Eddie Izzard called on the public to “get behind the team and help to fund their success through donations and fundraising.”