A Paralympic triple gold medallist visited a Fareham charity that supports children with cerebral palsy days before she was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s honours list.
(L-R) Sophie Christiansen, Theo Oakley, Anna Vass, Mariann Balla and Aloysia Jardine
Sophie Christiansen, who has cerebral palsy and received the award for services to equestrianism, was welcomed as a new patron of The Rainbow Centre.
She won three gold medals in the dressage with her horse Janeiro in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Sophie toured the Fareham centre and met the children and parents before picking the winning tickets on the Christmas Grand Draw. The lucky winner was Olwen de Swart who won a RIB worth £1,500.
Val Milner, a volunteer at the centre, said: “She is inspirational. The children can see what can be achieved by someone with the same disability.”
The Rainbow Centre opened a new charity shop in West Street, Fareham from today (Monday January 7).