Always have goals, never limits

Gloucestershire wheelchair racer Melissa Nicholls is a girl on a mission. Training hard, she hopes one day to represent Team GB on the track. However, she is looking for sponsorship and support to help her along her journey.

Sports fanatic Mel had her life turned upside down when she suffered a series of severe strokes. The third, in 2008, left her unable to use her left leg and part of her left arm. Her balance and coordination were also affected, leaving her unable to walk unaided.

But despite the huge influence this had on her ability to live an independent life, it wasn’t long before Mel found a new way to exercise her passion for competing.

“I’ve found a real passion for wheelchair racing as it’s very similar to running which I always used to love to do so much,” she said.

“I’ve always been an active and sporty person and even though I’m now disabled, I do not see myself as any less able.”

Training daily independently, on track at the prince of wales Stadium, Cheltenham through Leisure@ and as part of the McCain University of Warwick Endurance Academy with her club Coventry Godiva Harriers, Mel is ranked number 2 in the UK for her classification and within the top 5 T34 athletes worldwide.

Mel continues a very successful second season of wheelchair racing on the worldwide stage and moves onward and upward through 2012.