Millie Knight – VI Skier
Millie, who lives in Canterbury, Kent, has been supported by Get Kids Going! for a number of years since she started her Paralympic journey in Sochi – being her first winter paralympic games when she carried the flag for the GB Team at the opening ceremony.
Millie’s guide is, Brett Wild, who has been guiding Millie down the mountain for many years throughout which they have worked hard to become a formidable team. They recently won the World Cup Super G Crystal Globe at the Cup Finals in Sweden. Millie and Brett became the overall 2021/22 season champions having also competed in Lilliehammer, Norway. This was an amazing end to the World Cup season and a real confidence boost for the super skiing pair before they hit the slopes at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
Menna Fitzpatrick – VI Skier
Menna, who lives in Cheshire, has plans to follow her success as a gold medalist in the women’s slalom at the World Para Snow Sports Championships in Lilliehammer. Menna with her, guide, Gary are keen to get on the snow in Beijing having won gold, silver and bronze in 2018 Pyeong Chang Winter Games. Menna is the most decorated and successful winter paralympian of all time. Get Kids Going! is delighted to have supported Menna throughout her skiing career. We wish Menna and Gary all success in the many ski disciplines they plan to participate in at the forth coming Winter Games in Beijing.
Neil Simpson – VI Skier
Neil, age 20 years, comes from Banchory, Scotland. Beijing will be Neil’s first Paralympic Games when he will be taking part in the men’s VI skiing events. Neil will be guided by his brother, Andrew, who are fast becoming a sensational duo in men’s VI B3 category.
Neil started skiing at the age of 4 at the Aberdeen dry slope when he trained with the Gordon Skiers at The Lecht and Glenshee slopes. After competing in the GB para Alpine championship in 2018, gaining two gold medals, he was selected for the GB Para Alpine team later that year. In the 2018/19 season he made his debut in the Para Alpine World Cup and World Championships. After that he went on to podiumed in Para Alpine World Cups in Slalom and Giant Slalom races. There is no doubt that Neil and his brother, Andrew, will be a force to be reckoned with on the slopes of Beijing.
James Whitley – Mens Standing
James began skiing at the age of 4 years and began his ski racing career in 2008 when he came second in the giant slalom at the Italian National Championships. James is one of GB’s top para alpine skiers, having competed in the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia and again in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea. At the age of age 25 James will be competing in the men’s standing classes including the; Slalom, Giant Slalom, SuperG, Downhill and Super Combines events whilst in Bejing. James was born with no hands but still this has not stopped him from become one of GB’s best mens Paralympic skiers. James lives in Sussex with his girlfriend Ella. James’ greatest supporters are his mother and father Tara and Edward and, of course, his girlfriend Ella who will be cheering down the slopes.
James Barnes-Miller – Para Snowboarder
James, who comes from Broadstairs, Kent, was recently narrowly beaten to a gold medal in World Para Snow Sports Games in Lillehammer, Norway. James took the silver medal with a fantastic run in the snowboard cross SB-UL. James who was, unfortunately, dogged by injury in the build up to Lillehammer – breaking his collar bone – but he pulled out a fantastic run in Norway so there is absolutely is no doubt that James will be aim for a gold in Beijing! Get Kids Going! is delighted to support James with his para snowboarding and wish him all success in Beijing.
Callum Deboys – Para Nordic Skier
Callum, who’s home town is Kirkmichael, in Ayrshire, Scotland is part of the GB Team Para Nordic skiers being in the elite squad. Callum is age 26yrs and has been skiing for 5 years since sustaining a serious road traffic accident when the bone in his left leg was broken so badly that is severed an artery resulting in an above the knee amputation.
Once Callum had fully recovered physically he met Scott Meenagh, a GB Snowsport Athlete, who helped Callum realise that his injuries may have been life threatening but they were not life-ending. And after hearing Scott’s story, Callum was inspired take up para nordic skiing. Scott gave Callum the opportunity to go skiing with him and the Armed Forces Para Snowsports team and that’s where Callum’s Para Nordic skiing journey began.
Hope Gordon – Para Nordic Skier
Hope, who comes from Glospie, Scotland, has made her name as a medal winning para-canoeist and will be making her para snow sport debut as part of the GB Team’s para Nordic skiing squad in Beijing.
Hope is a highly successful para canoeist being part of the GB para canoe squad based in Nottingham. In Beijing, Hope will exchange her paddles for ski poles when she takes part in the Nordic skiing competition.
Hope won 2 silver medals at the 2021 Canoe Sprint World Championships, however, she joined up with the GB Para Nordic team just four weeks later when she took to snow for the very first time in Germany. Hope went on to compete in her first World Cup event in Canada where she competed in the cross country sprint event. It’s certainly been an exciting journey for Hope from top class canoeing to Para Nordic skiing. Hope will be making history as UK’s first ever female Para Nordic skier to take part in a Paralympic Games.