A paratriathlon champion’s training costs as he bids to qualify for Rio 2016 has been funded for the next year thanks to a donation from Lloyds TSB Commercial.

 

Jimmy Goddard is the son of Mike Goddard, past chairman of the British Franchise Association and the founder and chairman of the national lettings and property management franchise Belvoir.

 

Former commando Jimmy (33), of Bracknell - who suffered a spinal cord injury in a rock climbing accident in 2004 which left him paralysed and a wheelchair user - has received £5,000 funding from Lloyds TSB Commercial to support his gruelling training regime.

 

The race consists of a 750 metre swim followed by a 20 kilometre handcycle before a five kilometre wheelchair sprint to the finish line.

 

After becoming the first successful paraplegic to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro unaided in 2006, and with a string of paratriathlon medals already under his belt, including winning gold at the 2009 British Championships and silver at the 2009 European Championships, Jimmy has his eyes set on Paralympic glory in Rio, five years from now, when the discipline should be a medal sport for the first time.

 

Jimmy said: “I am really delighted to gain Lloyds TSB Commercial as a major sponsor. The funding will enable me to compete regularly on the international stage this summer and at the Paratriathlon World Championships in Beijing in September.

 

“Paratriathlon is a relatively new sport and has just been given Paralympic status for Rio de Janeiro in 2016 where I hope to contend for a top medal position. Five years may seem like a long time away but in athletic terms it’s just round the corner at the end of the next Paralympic cycle. I have recently gained a place on the British Podium Squad and all focus is now towards South America.

 

“It’s a very exciting time in the sport and it’s good to be entering it with Lloyds TSB Commercial as a sponsor. The support provided by the bank is more than the sum of the funding; it is the focus, motivation and feeling of being backed by the team which will give me the best possible chance of success.”

 

Richard Holden, head of franchising at Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: “Lloyds TSB is an official partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and through our Local Heroes programme we have supported many promising athletes in the build up to next year’s Games.

 

“Jimmy Goddard is an inspirational and talented young man and when we heard about his plans to represent Great Britain at the Rio Paralympics in 2016 we were compelled to help. Our sponsorship will ensure Jimmy can train and compete without financial worries and he is free to concentrate on achieving his own personal goals.”