James Barnes-Miller, recipient of a Working Class Hero interview a couple of issues back, is currently trying to raise the necessary funds to join Great Britain’s Paralympic snowboarding team. Ben Wilkes has set up a GoFundMe page to help facilitate this, so read some words from James below then click the image to be taken through to donate.

Hello, my name is Ben Wilks and i have started this GoFundMe on behalf of my younger brother James Barnes-Miller. Here are a few words from James.

“I was born without my right hand. I was born in Tunbridge Wells but moved to Thanet when I was a year old. I have grown up in Ramsgate and Broadstairs, going to school in Broadstairs where I gained work experience at the local skate park and a passion for being on a board. I then went on a snowboarding holiday about 5 years ago and found that all my experience on a skate board gave me confidence and the ability to snowboard well.

After a chance meeting with the GB para team in Landgraaf I have taken part in two weeks of training with the GB para team and from time that I have been invited into the GB para snowboarding team iwith the aim to qualifiy for the next winter Paralympics and represent Great Britain. A condition to be in the team is that I need to raise sponsorship in the region of £10,000 myself. At the moment I am on the invitational squad but as soon as I classify I will go up to development. I will classify in November and I will go up to development squad. Progress through the classifications will depend on the amount of time I can spend on the snow which is where sponsorship helps me.

I need to raise in total £10,000. I would appreciate any contribution to this. Every penny will help.

All sponsorship money from you will be used to pay for snow time, lift passes, flights to training camp and accommodation costs.

I will not be able to progress with my training and will not be able to classify without sponsorship money so every penny will help. Thanks for your support!

Regards

James Barnes-Miller”