Photograph - Jon-Allan Butterworth (left) with Paul Massey, Chief Executive of AKW AKW, the market leader in daily living and showering solutions for independent living, has announced an exciting sponsorship of Paracycling athlete Jon-Allan Butterworth during his Paralympic campaign. Over the next 12 months the talented athlete will be working with AKW to spread its message of inclusive living, in addition to endorsing the importance of independence through new products and solutions. As part of the sponsorship, AKW will launch a local CSR programme initially aimed at involving local children and to help raise disability awareness. Plans include promoting cycling and other activities within schools. Jon-Allan will also be active on AKW’s Facebook and Twitter pages – updating followers on his training progress – as well as attending key industry events such as Naidex National. The sponsorship will fully support Jon-Allan’s Paralympics crusade as well as assist in his campaign to help his preferred charity Help For Heroes. Having joined the RAF in 2002, Jon-Allan served as a weapons technician in Afghanistan and Iraq. A rocket attack on Basra Air Station in Iraq in 2007 meant he was forced to undergo an above-elbow amputation on his left arm. The athlete has only been cycling professionally since 2009 but has already amassed a number of high profile achievements, with career highlights to date including a British record in the 4km Individual Pursuit and a World record in the 1km Time Trial. The accomplished Paracyclist is on course to compete in the 1km Time Trial and 4km Individual Pursuit at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The Paralympic contender commented: “It is great to have such fantastic support from AKW. I have worked hard to demonstrate that having a disability does not mean you can’t enjoy success as an athlete, so it’s thrilling to be working with a company that understands how important style, choice and independence is for those living with a disability.” Paul Massey, Chief Executive of AKW, added: “It is an honour to support Jon-Allan, as he is already a very successful athlete and undoubtedly heading for great achievements in the future too. We wish him all the best in his preparation for his first Paralympic medals and anticipate a rewarding partnership together.”
