Variety, the children's charity, has been providing disability sports wheelchairs and equipment to young people eager to participate in disability sport since 2007.

Through an additional partnership with SportsAid it has made available extra grants to support the United Kingdom's most promising young disabled athletes, including Jack Roughan and Amy Wareing (pictured above, with Goodhew).

Despite only beginning training in 2008, 18-year-old Roughan (pictured below), who is partially sighted, competes in the 100 and 200 metres as well as the long jump and is ranked as the fastest in the world for his age and disability category.

Sixteen-year-old Wareing is the British number one in 100m, 200m and discus, and both athletes are hoping to fulfil their dreams of being named as part of the ParalympicsGB team for London 2012.

Attending the special event at Westfield, situated opposite the Olympic Park, was London 2012 Olympic Torchbearer and Variety ambassador Matt King, a former rugby league player paralysed from the neck down just two weeks after he turned 17 in 2004 following a serious playing injury.

Variety supplied King with a highly specialist powered wheelchair before he returned to his studies to achieve a first class degree in law.

Now works a lawyer, he was selected as one of the 8,000 Olympic torchbearers, each nominated as an inspiration by someone they know.

"I was honoured when I was asked to be here and lend my support to Matt, Jack and Amy as they continue their dreams of participating at London 2012," said Goodhew, who won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the Moscow 1980 Olympics.

"I know from personal experience that no-one gets to this level by themselves and so it is great to know there is a charity like Variety which supports young disabled athletes as they develop into world-class competitors."


Keith Andrews, Variety's Chief Barker, also paid tribute to the event for supporting the charity.

"It has been such a pleasure to be here and to see some of the concrete results of the various work Variety does," he said.

"Sport is such a positive and healthy way for children and young people to enrich their lives, and we are extremely proud of the endless achievements of Variety-supported athletes and cannot wait to see them compete for their country."

Variety is dedicated to supporting children and young people who are disadvantaged and disabled across the UK, creating positive experiences for them through its various programmes and initiatives.

To find out more about Variety or to donate to its various projects, click here.

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