SHOPPERS have come to the rescue of a Paralympic hopeful.
Scott Robertson, from Saltney, is being given £3,500, raised from donations by Sainsbury’s shoppers, to pay for a competition wheelchair for use in table-tennis events.
The former Connah’s Quay High School pupil hopes the new chair, which will be specially made in the USA, will boost his success rate in competitions.
“I am determined to qualify for London 2012,” he said.
“There has been added pressure this time because it is being held in the UK, but it will be amazing to be part of it.
“The new chair will definitely increase my chances of success.
“It will be a lot lighter than my current chair and have much better movement.”
Scott, 35, has been using a wheelchair since the age of 11 because of his brittle bones
He is currently ranked in the top 12 table-tennis players in Britain.
If he can retain his place among the country’s elite then he will qualify for the Paralympics squad.
Scott, whose wife, Claire, retired from international table-tennis competitions this year, took up the sport as soon as he required a wheelchair .
“My legs broke 62 times – I was always in and out of hospital,” said Scott, who is flying out to Croatia to take part in the European Championships on October 19. “I think because I was young it was easier to adapt, I knew if I walked my legs would break, so I just had to get used to it.
“The support of my family and my parents helped.
“In junior school, because my legs were breaking a lot, I couldn’t play football so one of the teachers used to take me to play table-tennis-tennis.”
Scott, who works part-time for Cheshire West and Chester Council and trains three days a week in Sheffield, is looking forward to trying out his new wheelchair, which will replace his current 14-year-old chair.
“I'm going to have it in the Sainsbury’s colour of orange,” he said.
“I would like to thank all of the staff and customers at Sainsbury’s.
“Without their help, I would never have been able to get a new chair.”