At a special event at St James’s Palace in London, the British Paralympic Association (BPA) launched a major donor appeal to raise funds of Euro 2.25million (£1.5million) over the next six years.

The aim of the appeal is to raise funds for the organization through contributions from individuals, charitable foundations and company charitable giving. Donors will receive a variety of non-commercial benefits by becoming a member of the appeal.

The money raised through the appeal will help give Britain’s Paralympic athletes the best possible chance of competing and winning medals at future Games.

President of the BPA, Mike Brace, said: “Since the first Paralympic Games in 1960, Britain has consistently been among the top performing nations…In order for Britain to stay competitive, the British Paralympic Association need to ensure that athletes have the best possible opportunities to create lifetime best performances and that new emerging athletes are constantly being identified and helped to develop.”

Retired businessman Peter Harrison (founder and a trustee of the Peter Harrison Foundation) helped begin the appeal with a donation of Euro 750,000 (£500,000).

Mr. Brace continued: “The money raised through this appeal will help us nurture and support our athletes so that they can put in medal winning performances in Beijing in 2008, Vancouver in 2010 and in front of a home crowd at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”

For more information, please visit the BPA website at www.paralympics.org.uk.