We are the ParalympicsGB Athletes’ Commission.
We act as an advisory to ParalympicsGB, representing the views of athletes to the Board, Executive Team and Games Planning Group.
We support ParalympicsGB in their mission to send a best prepared team of athletes to every Paralympic Games by ensuring the BPA considers athlete feedback and advice on athlete-facing areas.
Our Mission Statement:
- To ensure the viewpoint of the Athlete is represented across all areas of ParalympicsGB’s work.
- To lead with excellence, respect and integrity, to represent, advocate and communicate the voice of ParalympicsGB athletes, ensuring that ParalympicsGB maintains an athlete-centred approach.
Athlete Commission Elections
Elections are held every 2 years, with the next elections taking place in Autumn 2026. Representatives serve a maximum of two four-year terms.
Members of the Athlete Commission:
Charlotte Henshaw
Para canoe
Charlotte enjoyed a successful career in the pool, winning medals for ParalympicsGB at London 2012 and Rio 2016 before transitioning to Para canoe.
Helene Raynsford - Chair
Para rowing (retired)
Helene Raynsford became the first ever Paralympic champion in rowing when she won gold at Beijing 2008 in the women’s single sculls.
Lora Fachie MBE
Para cycling
Lora has represented ParalympicsGB in cycling at London 2012 and Rio 2016. At those first Games in South America, Lora and her tandem guide Corrine Hall won pursuit gold and time trial bronze.
Tania Nadarajah
Para archery
Tania made her Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 just two years after taking up the sport and has since medalled at the 2016 European Para Archery Championships.
Claire Taggart
Boccia
Claire first competed for ParalympicsGB at Rio 2016 before returning for her second Games at Tokyo 2020.
Hannah Cockroft
Para athletics
Cockroft’s double triumph at London 2012 proved to be the catalyst for a period of continued success which saw her claim every major title going.
Dave Ellis
Para triathlon
Dave has represented ParalympicsGB as both a swimmer and triathlete and is a Commonwealth champion and four-time world and five-time European gold medallist based in Loughborough.
Kelly Gallagher
Para Alpine skiing (retired)
Retired visually impaired skier Kelly Gallagher became the first ever ParalympicsGB Winter gold medallist at the Sochi 2014.
Jody Cundy
Para cycling
Jody Cundy won his ninth Paralympic gold medal in Paris as a powerful performance saw him help to retain the Open C1-5 750m team sprint with teammates Kadeena Cox and Jaco van Gass.
Benjamin Pritchard
Para rowing
Benjamin was part of a medal-laden Para rowing squad at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games where he took gold in the men’s PR1 single sculls.
Kylie Grimes
Wheelchair rugby / Para athletics (retired)
Kylie became the first woman to ever win a Paralympic Gold medal in Wheelchair Rugby when GB beat USA 54-49 in the final at Tokyo 2020.
Louise Sugden
Para powerlifting / wheelchair basketball
A member of the women’s wheelchair basketball squad in 2008 and 2012, Louise switched to powerlifting in 2017 and won a maiden Paralympic medal in the shape of a bronze in the 86kg category at Tokyo 2020.
Jo Butterfield
Para athletics
At the Paralympic Games in Rio, Butterfield won gold in the F51 club throw with a world record - despite nursing a shoulder injury. In August 2022, she announced her switch to the winter sport of wheelchair curling and in her first international event at the 2023 World Championships in Canada, she helped secure a bronze medal for Scotland in a 7-4 victory over Sweden.
