Benji's Racing Wheelchair

My name is Benji Borastero and I am a graduate in Psychology with Counselling from Northampton University. I believe I am the first person with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair to graduate in Gibraltar. Whilst I was studying in Northampton I discovered wheelchair basketball, became President of the Northampton Stallions and competed in the British Wheelchair Basketball University Championships. It was amazing to discover Paralympic sports as unfortunately they do not exist in Gibraltar. It is for this reason I am one year into a second degree at Worcester University in Sports Coaching Science with Disability Sports. It has become a dream to bring Paralympic sports to Gibraltar for those like me who have physical disabilities.

I have since taken up wheelchair racing and am officially classified as T34. I recently competed in the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships where I achieved bronze medal in the 800m. I have also completed 10k at Silverstone GP Circuit. Unfortunately training and competition has been done using a borrowed racing chair which means I am prone to injury and unable to reach my full potential . I am therefore trying to raise £5000 to purchase a racing chair specified to my needs.

With this, I hope to represent Gibraltar in further competitions whilst in university and, potentially, on an international level in the future.