by Joe Jeffrey
Insurance company sponsors local hero for 2016 Rio Paralympics
Paralympic and triple world champion Hannah Cockroft has spoken of her delight at being sponsored by Caravan Guard Insurance for the seventh year running.
Halifax-based insurance specialist Caravan Guard presented Hannah with a cheque for £2,000 to see her through to the 2016 Rio Paralympics in September.
The sponsorship money will help Hannah to pay for her racing wheelchair, as well as replacement wheels, tyres, gloves, speedometers, physio and travel expenses to competitions.
The thrilled Halifax-born athlete visited the Caravan Guard headquarters, posed for selfies with staff, and showed off her latest trio of gold medals, which she secured at the 2015 IPC World Championships in Doha for the T34 100m, 400m and 800m.
Of the importance of her sponsorship, Hannah said: “For me to have a local, home-town sponsor is so nice.
“Caravan Guard has been there since right at the beginning – before I won anything and it’s nice they are following me throughout my whole career. They were that pathway to the gold medal because they got me the chair that I raced my first world championships. I know that Caravan Guard will still support me and believe in what I’m trying to do.”
“It’s so important because aside from going out and getting a job, it’s something I wouldn’t be able to afford to do myself,” added Hannah. “It’s amazing to be able to come back and visit those who were my first contributors and supporters.”
Managing director of Caravan Guard, Ryan Wilby, explained what an it was to continue to support a local hero. He said: “We were delighted Hannah took time out of her busy schedule to come and visit us and we’re proud to have sponsored her throughout her racing career.”
