A GOLDEN future beckons for paraplegic fencer David Heaton thanks to the fundraising efforts of a friend.

Wheelchair bound David, of Bispham, is preparing for the Paralympics in Sydney next year.

But before he goes to Australia he will have to enter several intermediary competitions for which he will have to meet all the travel and entry expenses himself.

He will also be flying out to Sydney in two weeks time to check on the facilities available for paraplegic athletes.

So to help fund the costs, David's friend John Fallon flexed his muscles for two sponsored weight lifts. He also took part in a sponsored walk and has now raised more than £750 to help David on his way.

John, of Blackpool, said: "David is the best paraplegic fencer in Britain and has a real chance of getting a medal.

"He has worked very hard over the years to reach this standard and deserves to do well in Sydney.

"It would be a shame if he could not afford to go and people forget about the costs involved for paraplegic athletes.

"This is the least I could do to help him chase his dream and hopefully he will come back home with a gold medal."

David won a bronze medal at Barcelona in 1992 but had to miss the Atlanta Olympics because of injury.

He is currently rated the number one paraplegic fencer in Britain and has just returned from the European Championships in Prague where the British team finished fourth.

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