Hambleton Paralympian, Laurence Whiteley, takes to the water on Friday (Sept 9) – and the district is being urged to get behind him!
District Council Leader, Councillor Mark Robson, has sent the former Hambleton leisure attendant a good luck message from the authority – and hopes that everyone will be cheering him to victory at the weekend.
Northallerton born Laurence, aged 25, is a member of the British rowing team for the Paralympic Games in Rio – he will compete in the trunks and arms mixed double sculls with Lauren Rowles. He joined up with her last year and they have already claimed a silver medal at the World Championships.
After suffering from an aggressive form of bone cancer at the age of 14, Laurence took to swimming as part of his rehabilitation. In 2012 he decided to move to para rowing instead training with coach Greg Beswick at the Tees Rowing Club before moving to British Rowing’s high performance centre at Caversham.
“We wish Laurence the best of luck for the Games,” said Councillor Robson. “He is Hambleton’s only Paralympian athlete and we are very proud of him – especially as he is a former district council employee. We hope everyone will turn on their televisions on Friday to cheer him on.”
Laurence’s competition runs from September 9 to 11.