Brighton Paralympian Will Bayley Displays Medals During Hospital Visit

Brighton-based Paralympian Will Bayley, who holds the world number one ranking in Paralympic Table Tennis, visited the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, where he showcased his medals to patients. His athletic career includes a gold medal won in Brazil in 2016, along with four silver medals, one of which he secured in Paris earlier this year. The athlete, who received a cancer diagnosis at the age of seven, remarked: “It’s in my heart how important these places are.” He further added: “Just to give a little bit of time back is absolutely nothing. It’s so important what they do.” Bayley was born with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting all four of his limbs and limiting joint range of motion. He was also diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma during his childhood. He recounted: “I had lots of operations on my limbs when I was growing up from zero to seven.” James Lowell, the hospital’s chief executive, stated that Bayley’s role as an ambassador for the hospital’s charity wing “really helps.” During his visit, Bayley was reunited with Kim Brinkworth, who serves as both the lead nurse for Team GB and a ward manager at the hospital. Ms. Brinkworth commented: “I’ve come across him at the last five games I’ve been at. “Most recently in Paris where he was competing and I had the opportunity to go down and watch a couple of his matches, which was great.”” Readers can follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or submit story ideas via email to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp at 08081 002250. This content is copyrighted by BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.