Martin Heald and Jake Cropper are hoping to be given the chance to perform on the international sporting stage.

Martin Heald and Jake Cropper are hoping to be chosen as paralympians.

Carr Hill pupils, amputee Martin Heald and Jake Cropper, who has cerebral palsy, are being considered as potential paralympians.

The pair are clearly determined not to let their disabilities get in the way of success and are now preparing to join hundreds of other hopefuls at the Paralympic Potential Day in Bath.

For Year 12 student Martin it will be yet another feather in his cap after earning an England football cap last year.

This achievement was all the more noteworthy as Martin plays for the Great Britain Amputee team after having his left leg amputated because of cancer.

But now the future couldn't be brighter and Kirkham school boy Martin is delighted about his latest opportunity which would see him either swimming or weightlifting.

He said: "It is pretty fantastic really and it would be great if we were selected but we'll just have to wait and see."

"I'm alright at weightlifting and swimming so I'll just see what happens. I suppose they look at my upper body strength because of using crutches all the time so obviously this is helpful in building myself up."

"It just shows that some good things come out of the awful things as I only took up football after I was ill so to get the opportunity to represent my country again would be brilliant."

"It would be a real honour."

And Jake is as pleased with the news as it is only recently that his potential as a javelin thrower was realised.

Year 10 student Jake has limited mobility on his right side due to his cerebral palsy. He said: "I just do my best in PE and I like sport a lot, so to get an opportunity like this is amazing."

PE teacher Adele Jones applied for Martin and Jake to take part in the selection process.

She said: "These two are an inspiration. Martin's success is already well documented and now it looks like Jake could be enjoying some of that success too."

"It would be amazing if they were selected for the Paralympics but to just be considered is a major feat in itself."

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