Pledge Sports

Tokyo 2020 Vision

Stephen Miller

  • 35.20% funded
  • £ 3,520.04 pledged
  • Open

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I was born with Cerebral Palsy which effects my balance and coordination. My condition has never held me back and I’ve been an athlete for many years, competing in field athletics. I have represented Great Britain for over 20 years gaining an extensive medal haul including 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze from 6 Paralympic games; 3 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze from 7 World Championships and 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze from 6 European Championships. I held the World Record for F32 Club Throw from 1997-2008 and I was the Male Athletics Team Captain at the 2012 London Paralympics.

I’ve been lucky enough to receive several honours over the years, the latest of which was receiving the MBE award for services to sport in the 2016 New Years honours. In 2013 I founded SMILE Through Sport, a non-profit organisation, using my experiences to inspire others and helping to create more opportunities for disabled people to do sport. I started SMILE Through Sport because during my time as an athlete I’ve taken every opportunity to try to inspire others and show the benefits of sport. I speak at corporate, educational and charity events as part of my role within SMILE Through Sport. I also enjoy being a patron/ambassador for many fantastic charities and organisations.

I am currently in training, aiming to get on the podium again at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, which would be my 7th Paralympic Games. To help me achieve my dream and cement my place in the Paralympic history books I’m looking for support and sponsorship as I embark on this tough journey.

Even though I currently receive Lottery funding, there are many costs that mount up from doing my sport than aren’t covered. My current vehicle and my electric wheelchair are nearing the end of their life and need to be replaced after years of wear and tear. They are essential to my training and day to day life, I can’t train or get around without them and they are expensive to replace and maintain. I’ve had sponsorship in the past and I still have loyal sponsors that sponsor me in kind with products and services but getting a main financial sponsor has been difficult recently.

I became a full-time athlete for the first time in my career in 2016, this was instrumental in my medal winning performances at the Rio Paralympics and the 2017 London World Championships. This was largely possible thanks to the financial sponsorship that I had up to Rio. The sponsorship has stopped since Rio, so I am seeking fresh sponsorship support to help me stay a full-time athlete and achieve my dream of winning a medal at my 7th Paralympics in Tokyo 2020.

So I’m starting this campaign to help with costs towards a vehicle and electric wheelchair, and to contribute to the costs that build up through being a full-time athlete.

I’ve dedicated my life to sport and have had an incredible journey so far, I hope you can support me in adding another chapter to my story and help my realise my 2020 Vision.

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+Achievements

Atlanta Paralympics 1996 - Gold Medal F32/F50 Club Throw

I became Britain's youngest track and field Gold Medallist aged 16 years and 94 days.

Sydney Paralympics 2000 - Bronze Medal F32/F51 Discus; Gold Medal F32/F51 Club Throw

I defended my title in the Club Throw with a Paralympic Record, and won my first and only Paralympic medal in the discus.

Athens Paralympics 2004 - Gold Medal F32/F51 Club Throw

In my third Paralympics I won my third consecutive Gold Medal in the Club Throw, breaking the World Record in the process.

Beijing Paralympics 2008 - Silver Medal F32/F51 Club Throw

I came from 4th place on my last throw to win Silver in the Club Throw with my longest ever throw at a major competition.

London Paralympics 2012 - Male Athletics Team Captain

In my fifth Paralympics I had the huge honour of being chosen to be a Captain. I battled a long standing hip injury to be selected compete in a home Paralympics.

Rio Paralympics 2016 - Bronze Medal F32 Club Throw

I had a total hip replacement a few weeks after London 2012. I worked my way back to fitness and back into the GB team to win my 6th Paralympic medal at my 6th Paralympics.