Paralympians revealed as the most inspirational athletes for children

PyeongChang 2018

Paralympians are the most inspirational athletes for children and young people according to new research published by Virgin Media.

It comes as Virgin Media announces a gold-tier partnership with the British Paralympic Association (BPA) with the ParalympicsGB team competing at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games which begin this Friday (9 March).

The company is supporting Britain’s Paralympians as they go for gold at these Winter Games and at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Most inspirational sportspeople for young people

Paralympians (30%) compared to Olympians (21%), footballers (9%), rugby players (5%) and cricketers (2%)

Fearless athletes provide inspiration for a risk-averse nation

Virgin Media and the BPA want to help shift people’s perceptions of disability, and encourage the nation to become braver, inspired by our Paralympic athletes.

The research found Paralympians are considered to be the most fearless athletes (31%), compared to rugby players (18%) and footballers (4%).

In contrast, the findings show that 60% of UK adults describe themselves as being risk-averse, with 69% saying people are scared of the consequences of taking risks.

Fearless: Ben Moore (Para snowboard), Angie Malone (wheelchair curling), Brett Wild (Guide) and Millie Knight (Para alpine skiiing)

We’re supporting our sensational Paralympians whose mindset and attitude – Be Fearless – is inspiring. We can’t wait to see our incredible athletes unleash their potential in PyeongChang.

Tom Mockridge

Two thirds say they do not take risks because they are worried about failing. Almost seven in ten people believe we are less likely to take risks as a nation than we did ten years ago.

However, two thirds acknowledged taking risks can pay off and lead to success, with more than half of us pleased to have challenged ourselves after taking a leap of faith.

Tom Mockridge, CEO of Virgin Media, said: “This is a very proud moment for everyone at Virgin Media. We’re supporting our sensational Paralympians whose mindset and attitude – Be Fearless – is inspiring. We can’t wait to see our incredible athletes unleash their potential in PyeongChang.”

Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association, commented: “With the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games just days away it is a wonderful boost to be able to announce this exciting new partnership with Virgin Media.

“We know ParalympicsGB athletes are amongst the most inspirational and the most fearless figures in public life and their success can have a real impact by challenging perceptions of what disabled people can achieve.”

This complements the work that Virgin Media already does through its partnership with Scope, the disability charity, to transform the lives of disabled people in the UK.

Last year, Virgin Media and Scope launched a ground-breaking initiative ‘Work With Me; to support one million disabled people get into and stay in work by the end of 2020. As part of this, Virgin Media is funding the charity’s new employment service, ‘Support to Work’ which aims to reach one million disabled people with employment information and support by the end of 2020.

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