Olympic dream a hit with online fans
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Fin Graham, of Strathpeffer, represented Great Britain in last month’s paracycling road world championships in Italy and has also achieved the title of British National Paracycling Champion in road racing two years running.
But despite his improved performances, he fears his dream could evaporate if he is unable to find funds to continue his progress. The 18-year-old has set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise £6500 for specialist equipment and to help with travel and accommodation.
In just days, generous supporters have pushed the appeal past the £5000 mark and the determined cyclist is hopeful more people will help him to reach his target.
“I am right on the cusp – I feel I am so close to being taken onto the GB Cycling full-time funded programme,” he said. “It is a case of getting the funds to go to a few more races to prove I am getting consistently good results.”
Fin, who lives with his parents Drew and Dee and brother Rory, was born with two club feet and has no calf muscle on his right leg. But he has been determined not to let his disability get in the way of his passion for cycling.
Last October he was dealt a huge blow to his health when he was admitted to Raigmore Hospital where he was diagnosed with lupus, a disease which causes the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue.
Despite severe kidney damage, he fought his way back to racing within two months of the diagnosis and is now in remission although he remains on immune-suppressing drugs which makes him susceptible to severe infection.
Donations from sporting bodies, organisations and individuals have helped him develop his cycling. They include Moray Estates which has paid his travel for the last two years.
But he finds living in the Highlands adds to his costs as each week he has to make a 400-mile round trip to Glasgow Velodrome where he spends three days training on the Elite Scottish Performance Programme. He also attends training camps and races in England, Wales and Europe.
Fin acknowledged the support of the Tesco store in Dingwall where he works part-time.
“They have been great at giving me time off to attend training camps, races and have offered me extra shifts when I can manage,” he said.
“However the money I earn is only a fraction of what I need to develop my racing to the point where I get taken onto the full-time funded programme.”
Fin is a supporter of STEPS, a charity which does not take walking for granted, and he was invited to Chelsea Football training ground in June to help inspire others with club feet and show them it is not an end to their dreams.
“I will continue to do this and promote paracycling to as many people with disabilities as possible,” he said. “My disability has never held me back and is in fact now providing me with the opportunity to represent my country.”
- To give a donation, go to www.gofundme.com/support-fin039s-paralympic-dream
