Nick Beighton to begin his quest for Paralympic glory
Shropshire rower Nick Beighton will tomorrow complete an amazing two-year journey when he begins his quest for Paralympic glory.
The 30-year-old from Shrewsbury will compete alongside Samantha Scowen – who hails from Knighton in Powys – in the heats for the mixed adaptive double sculls.
Beighton, a Captain in the British Army, lost his legs when injured in Afghanistan in October 2009 and has made remarkable progress having only taking up rowing about 18 months ago.
He will have no shortage of support in London tomorrow with his mother Sue, who lives at Radbrook Green in Shrewsbury, travelling down with his two sisters Fran and Jenny, who has flown over from New Zealand for the event.
“Nick’s going to have a lot of family and friends down there and we are all very proud of what he has achieved,” said Sue.
“I spoke to him on Tuesday and he seemed very relaxed and very confident.
“I’m not sure how it’s going to go for them but they are both fit and both ready to go and we will have a great few days whatever happens.”
Beighton, a former pupil at Radbrook Primary and Meole Brace Schools as well as Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, will be in action with Scowen at 10.50am tomorrow with the final on Sunday.