Paralympic star sets his goals (From Northwich Guardian)

Paralympic star sets his goals

8:20am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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A PARALYMPIC footballer from Sandiway helped a number of leading premiership footballers launch the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup last week.

Local hero Matthew Dimbylow, 39, met Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given and Burnley players Wade Elliott and Michael Duff, at Manchester’s Arndale Centre recently as part of the seven-a-side Great Britain team competing in the cup.

Matthew – who suffers from extra pyramidal syndrome, a type of Parkinson’s Disease – and his team-mates will be taking on the United States, Holland and Ireland between, May 25 and 31 in the contest.

It will be the first time football has been included in the event, which also includes athletics, swimming and wheelchair basketball.

The team is made up of players who have cerebral palsy or have been affected by strokes or head injuries.

Great Britain are currently ranked seventh in the world for paralympic football, after Ukraine, Russia, Iran, Brazil, Holland and Ireland.

Matthew said: “I’m really looking forward to the games.

“It is good to represent your country and have pride in doing so.”

The former IT consultant and dad-of-two travelled to Beijing in 2008 as part of Great Britain’s paralympic team and is currently training for the Virgin London Marathon in April to raise money for Caudwell Children.

To sponsor Matthew call him 01782 600114.