Grainger celebrates its centenary by sponsoring three North-Eastern Paralympic hopefuls
Newcastle-based Grainger plc, the UK's largest listed residential landlord, today announced its sponsorship of three Paralympic hopefuls to mark its 100th birthday in 2012.
The athletes, all with connections in the North East of England to celebrate Grainger's regional heritage, hope to compete in the 2012 Paralympics.
Eleni Papadopolous, age 17, is a two time silver medallist in the European championships for swimming and a full time student from Gateshead. She won the prestigious Disabled Sports Person of the Year at the North East Sports Awards in 2009.
John Robertson, age 38 and from Sunderland, is a two time gold medallist in the sailing world championships (2005/2006) and won the silver medal in the 2010 world championships in Holland. John was previously in the RAF.
Stephen Miller, age 30 and diehard Newcastle United fan, is a three time Paralympic gold medallist in field athletics (club). Stephen was recently interviewed on Channel 4's "That Paralympic Show".
Andrew Cunningham, chief executive of Grainger plc, said:
"2012 is going to be a fantastic year for the UK. It's only a coincidence that it's also the year that Grainger turns 100, but what a great coincidence it is. Grainger has a strong heritage in the North East and we are committed to investing back into our local communities, which is why we are so proud to sponsor these three ambitious individuals. We look forward to working with them in the run up to the Games.
"On behalf of everyone at Grainger we wish Eleni, John and Stephen all the best of luck in getting to the 2012 Paralympics and representing the North East on Team Great Britain."
Dave Butler, director of corporate affairs at Grainger, leading on the sponsorship of the athletes, said:
"Grainger is very happy to be working with three talented athletes, all with a connection to the North East. Our sponsorship will help Grainger celebrate our centenary in 2012 in a meaningful way, reflect our North East of England heritage and will help these athletes to prepare for success at the Paralympics. We wish them all the best of luck."
Eleni Papadopolous said:
"I'm very excited about 2012 and it's great to have sponsorship from Grainger plc, a leading company in the North East. Between now and 2012, I'll have my head down, either swimming or studying. I really hope that I make Team GB and get the chance to represent the North East on the world stage."
John Robertson said:
"We are proud of our sailing heritage in the UK and 2012 will be our chance to show the world how serious we are about it. Grainger's support will help me through my rigorous training programme, and I look forward to working with them over the next two years."
Stephen Miller said:
"Bring on the Games. With support from a fellow Geordie like Grainger, I'll definitely bring home the gold. Just watch. In the meantime, Howay the Toon!"
- Ends -
For further information, please contact:
Grainger plc
Kurt Mueller
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 795 4704
Email: [email protected]
Notes to editor
Grainger plc is the largest specialist residential property owner and manager traded on the London Stock Exchange. Established in 1912 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Grainger's business activities in the UK and Germany cover ownership, trading, fund management, property management and development of residential property. Grainger is also a leading provider of retirement housing solutions, including home reversion products through Bridgewater Equity Release. Grainger owns approximately £2.1 billion of property assets and manage over 36,500 properties valued at £2.7 billion.
Athlete biographies
Eleni Papadopoulos
- Age 18
- Lives in Gateshead
- Damaged her ulnar nerve in her left arm aged 6, which left her with limited use of my arm involving movement restriction in my shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand.
- Currently on the British Disability World Class Development Programme, which is the second highest programme for swimming in the country.
- At her first international competition in Denmark (2009) she broke the British Record in the 50m butterfly. Went on to break the British Record in the 100m butterfly by almost 3 seconds, breaking it again a week later at the ASA British Championships by a further 3 seconds which qualified her for the 2009 European Championships in Iceland.
- Currently holds 8 British Records and 2 European Records.
- Won the prestigious Disabled Sports Person of the Year at the North East Sports Awards in 2009
- Juggles a busy university life with an even busier training regime, training up to 28 hours a week.
John Robertson
- Age 38.
- Home town is Sunderland.
- Was in the RAF for 4 years after joining up at 17 years old.
- Had a motorcycle accident in 1994 and severely damaged his spine and so had to end his military career.
- Got back into sailing whilst in rehab (used to go sailing with his family when he was young) and was contacted by Sailability (the disabled section of the RYA) and has now been competing for 14 years.
- Helms a Sonar, a 3-crew boat.
- Bronze medal at 2003 World Championships and won Gold in the 2004 and 2005 World Championships.
- His first qualifying race for 2012 is in Miami in the New Year.
- Trains in Portland Dorset at the WPNSA(Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy)
- Career highlights:
2009 Miami OCR: Gold
2009 Sail For Gold Regatta: Silver
2009 ISAF World Cup Series: Gold
2009 National Able Bodied Championships: Gold - Was one of six British disabled sailors in the ParalympicsGB team for the 2008 Paralympic Games (finished 6th).
Stephen Miller
- Born 1980.
- Lives in Newcastle.
- Has cerebral palsy and his Paralympian events are the club and discus.
- In the club event he has won 3 consecutive Paralympic and World Championship gold medals and most recently won silver in the Beijing Paralympics
Represented GB for over 10 years. - Taken part in 4 Paralympic Games, winning 5 medals including 3 golds, a silver and a bronze.
- He set a world record of 33.53m at Athens Games.
- Held the world record from 1997 until 2008.
- Defending his world title at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch this January.
- Huge Newcastle United fan.
- Was on Channel 4's "That Paralympic Show" in Summer 2010.