AN appeal has gone out to help a Pembrokeshire Paralympian to proudly represent his country again in 2016.

A group of Pembrokeshire sports lovers, including the Western Telegraph sports team of Gordon Thomas, Fraser Watson and Bill Carne, are joining forces to raise funds to help Jacob Thomas continue his quest to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics in Rio 2016.

Jacob, who hails from Bethesda, near Narberth, played boccia for Great Britain in the London 2012 Paralympic Games and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Jessica Ennis and Mo Farrah.

Jacob is also the World Student Games Champion after recent success in Brazil.

But Jacob now needs a new hi-tech wheelchair if he is to continue to play at his current level, and the ‘Jacob’s Wheels’ group, set up to organise fundraising, is hoping that sports lovers across Pembrokeshire will rally to the cause.

“We hope that a series of forthcoming events will take us on our way to our target,” said Bill Carne, who is also joined by Angela Miles, Huw George, Ben Field and Gary Hall.

Bill added: “Several of us attended the London Paralympics to cheer Jacob on and we will never forget the experience of watching a local teenager play sport at such a level.

“Huw will spearhead events in the Bethesda, Llandissilio, Clunderwen, Narberth area and the rest of us are looking to spread the message across the county.

“There are a huge number of worthy causes already but hope that individuals, clubs and businesses might want to help us with what is very much a short-term fund-raising goal to get new wheels for Jacob as soon as possible.”

“As well as sponsorship (and sponsors can win some nice sports-related prizes),” said Angela.

“The group hope that in the next two weeks of the World Cup or Wimbledon that supporters might like to have a few pints watching the events and enjoy tea in their garden, invite friends and raise some cash.”

“We would be glad of any donations, no matter how small,” said Huw.

“We know that the Pembrokeshire sporting fraternity is brilliant at rallying to a worthy cause.

Money can be left for the attention of Bill Carne (phone number 07807 054743) with the sports team at the Western Telegraph in Haverfordwest or Radio Pembrokeshire in Narberth, and he would be delighted to visit any prospective sponsors and explain more about ‘Jacob’s Wheels’.