Selection joy for Trafford residents (From Messenger Newspapers)

Selection joy for Trafford residents

11:27am Wednesday 27th June 2012 in Sport

TRAFFORD athletes are celebrating being selected for the Para-Cycling team for ParalympicsGB.

The 19-strong team includes Jon-Allan Butterworth from Sale; Neil Fachie from Altrincham and Lora Turnham, from Altrincham.

Jon-Allan Butterworth served in Afghanistan in 2005 and Iraq in 2007 as a weapons technician.

He lost his arm in Iraq in August 2007 in a rocket attack on Basra Air Station. He was identified at a Paralympic Potential Day in October 2007 and has since developed into one of the fastest para-cyclists in the world.

“I'm proud to representing my country again,” said Butterworth. “I've been on an amazing journey, I have lots of people to thank, and I know they'll be supporting me in London at my first games.”

It will be a family affair for Altrincham resident Lora Turnham. Her brother Roy will also represent ParalympicsGB at London 2012 in five-a-side football.She said: “I am delighted to have been selected for London 2012. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride trying to gain qualification for me so it means a lot. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and hope to pay them back with a medal.”