Paralympic medallist gets funding for Games preparation

A MEDAL-WINNING Paralympian who claimed his local council was jeopardising his chance of success at the next Games has received extra funding from his local health board.

Paul Davies, right, of North Cornelly in Bridgend, won bronze playing singles table tennis at the London Paralympics in 2012.

He first played table tennis at school and rediscovered the sport at the age of 30 when he started playing again as part of his rehab following a road traffic accident that left him paralysed.

For three years he played wheelchair rugby until a shoulder injury led to him playing table tennis again at the spinal injuries club in Rookwood Hospital, Cardiff.

After showing great promise, he was selected to play for Wales, later going on to represent Great Britain at international tournaments.

In the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he reached the quarterfinals.

That same year he suffered a personal tragedy when he lost his wife, who had been his carer.

Her death meant he needed a personal assistant to help him get to training sessions and tournaments.

But he claimed that the limited funds he received from Bridgend Council were insufficient to help him undertake the programme he believed he needed as he makes preparations for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

He gave up the opportunity to go to Slovenia for a tournament because care was not available for him.

Last month, South Wales West AM Caroline Jones took up his case, saying: “As Ukip’s health spokesperson, I have heard so much from Health Secretary Vaughan Gething about how we are encouraging people such as Paul to live in their own homes and be as independent as possible.

“Does this mean we do not look on people as individuals and encourage them to reach their full potential by developing and nurturing talent such as this?

“It was Paul’s aim to train hard and come home this time with a gold medal. Who are we to say he cannot have this chance?”

Bridgend Council said it had assessed Mr Davies’ needs and offered him “a plan of care and assistance specifically designed to meet his individual needs in collaboration with other agencies offering him support”.

Now Bro Morgannwg University Health Board has stepped in to offer an extra six and a half hours of support to Mr Davies.

He said: “It will enable me to employ a full-time PA and I’m grateful for that. I’ll now be able to go to the World Para Championship in Slovenia in October after all.

“But I still won’t be getting anywhere near the same level of support as other members of the GB team, including my partner from Brecon.”