on 20-08-2014 12:03

Free to attend celebratory events are taking place in London, Birmingham and Liverpool. Additionally a world class elite sports competition is being held at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Tickets to the elite event, available via the web site www.axs.com/national-paralympic-day, are on sale for just £5 each.

The Earl of Wessex is the Royal Patron of the British Paralympic Association and is a long-term supporter of the British Paralympic team. HRH regularly attends the Paralympic Games in support of ParalympicsGB and recently hosted a Royal reception for the team that competed recently at Sochi 2014. The Earl will attend the competition at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

"Here is a chance to remind ourselves just how exciting (para-sports) can be at first hand. I hope that many will want to cheer on the teams in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park." The Earl of Wessex

The Earl said:

“Once again National Paralympic Day will celebrate all that is excellent about the Paralympic Movement. Once again present and future Paralympians will have the opportunity to show us that disability is no barrier to competitive and spectacular sport. After the success of para-sports at London 2012, as well as Sochi and Glasgow this year, here is a chance to remind ourselves just how exciting they can be at first hand. I hope that many will want to cheer on the teams in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park."

Prince Harry is an active supporter of disability sport and attended numerous Paralympic events at London 2012 alongside The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Since London he has been the inspiration behind the ‘Invictus Games’, an international sporting competition for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women from across the world. The Invictus Games will be held at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Lee Valley Athletics Centre two weeks after National Paralympic Day, 10th-14th September.

Through his work, Prince Harry has seen first-hand how important sport can be for disabled people.

"I have seen first-hand how disability sport has the power to change and influence people’s lives for the better. These men and women are not defined by their disabilities, but by their incredible sporting achievements." Prince Harry

Prince Harry said:

“Through my work with Invictus Games and in seeing ParalympicsGB in action at London 2012, I have seen first-hand how disability sport has the power to change and influence people’s lives for the better. These men and women are not defined by their disabilities, but by their incredible sporting achievements. National Paralympic Day is another opportunity for the public to acknowledge this and hopefully be inspired by it."

“It is fantastic to have the backing of both our Royal Patron, The Earl of Wessex, and Prince Harry for our activities on 30 August to celebrate National Paralympic Day." Tim Hollingsworth

The Chief Executive of the BPA, Tim Hollingsworth welcomed the Royal support:

“It is fantastic to have the backing of both our Royal Patron, The Earl of Wessex, and Prince Harry for our activities on 30 August to celebrate National Paralympic Day. 

“Their interest and support is clear as is their commitment to the Paralympics and to the power of sport to change people’s lives.  We are particularly delighted that The Earl is joining us in London.

“We know that interest in Paralympic sport is at an all-time high in this country and through National Paralympic Day we can help as many people as possible learn more about the Paralympics, be inspired by our amazing athletes and get involved in disability sport.”

Find out more about National Paralympic Day 2014 here: Paralympics.org.uk/npd2014