Getting behind British veteran and para-athlete in bid to make history on the water
TCi continues a longstanding legacy of community support, but with a shift in focus for 2024. Having raised almost £30,000 for local charities over the past three years, as well as sponsoring numerous, grass-roots sports teams, the construction contractor is backing local Paralympic hopeful, Jon White.
Jon is a triple amputee war hero who is now competing as a top-level para-athlete, representing Great Britain internationally. TCi will be sponsoring Jon throughout 2024 as he trains to qualify for the 200m Sprint Kayak event at the 2024 Paris and 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics!
Jon lost both legs and his right arm to a pressure plate IED in Afghanistan 2010. After this colossal life-changing event, his road to recovery has seen him take on incredible challenges including building his own accessible home from the ground up (featured on the Channel 4 series, Grand Designs), completing the toughest Kayak marathon in the world – The Devizes to Westminster – TWICE, as well as achieving gold and silver medals in multiple kayaking competitions and giving motivational talks about his experience.
Having recently returned from the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Sydney, Australia, where he won multiple gold medals, Jon is gearing up to qualify for the Paralympic games, whilst continuing to give multiple community talks, and compete in other events. TCi joins several other supporters of Jon’s campaign, including headline sponsor, VISA, Team Forces and Landmarc.
Managing Director, Alex Perkis, commented;
“Having signed the Armed Forces Covenant and as a Disability Confident Committed Employer , TCi is especially proud to be sponsoring Jon as he strives for success on the water and continues to inspire others to fulfil their own potential and achieve success no matter what the circumstances.”
TCi’s sponsorship will enable Jon to expand his team of experts to improve his strength, condition and nutrition. It will also help him to develop more opportunities to give community talks, inspiring other people with disabilities to develop confidence building their own adventures.
Jon comments;
“I am really grateful to the support from TCi. At a basic level, the financial support goes towards funding my training and equipment, allows me the time to focus on training. Equally important is the motivation that I gain from having this faith shown in me. It makes me want to work harder.”
He continues;
“At the moment, the Paralympic classification system for Kayak does not have a category for someone with the same severity of disability, in most cases I will be competing against people without any upper body disabilities/amputations,.This means, being able to do more work in the gym to strengthen my body and train to be technically better significantly improves my chances of making it to Paris.”
“Fortunately for the games in LA, the system looks like it will change and this will increase my opportunity to compete and aim for success on the highest stage for myself, for my local community and partners like TCi without whom this would only be a dream.”
In addition to the sponsorship, TCi will align its charitable focus to support Jon’s patronage of the Royal Marines Charity, supporting veterans back in the community on return after service.
Find out more about Jon’s incredible story here:
Read more about TCi’s fundraising and community engagement:
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