Andy Townsend

I should like to nominate my son Andy Townsend. He has been an inspiration to children, young people and adults all through his life. He was born in 1972 with a deformity in his right leg and before he was three years old had a below knee amputation. He has always been keen on sport and took part in the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics as a member of the Volleyball squad. He is now Manager of "Lifeskills" a Charity helping to show children and adults, able and disabled, skills to live safely in all aspects of modern life. "Lifeskills" is based at The CREATE Centre in Bristol and works with all Education Authorities, NHS Trusts and Emergency Services in the area, with the result that everybody has the opportunity of gaining skills for life. I very much hope that he could carry the Torch sometime during it's travels in the South West. Gill Townsend