A tribute to David Heaton

David Heaton, wheelchair fencer and five time Paralympian, has passed away at his home in Blackpool.

He had been fighting cancer, quietly and courageously, for the last 18 months.

ParalympicsGB’s Caz Walton, said: “David was a gifted athlete playing league basketball for his local team, but it was as a fencer that he really made his mark. His debut as an 18-year-old, saw him compete at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona 1992 winning a bronze medal as part of the sabre team.”

“A hugely talented fencer, he represented Great Britain at five Paralympic Games and numerous European and World Championships. He was a popular figure internationally and a great ambassador for his country. David retired from international sport after London 2012 but continued to put time and effort back into the sport that he loved.”

“He was a caring, humorous, and much-loved man and his passing, much too young, leaves a hole a mile wide in our hearts.”

The condolences of all at ParalympicsGB go to David’s family and friends.