Chairman of the British Paralympic Association, Mike Brace was the Guest Speaker at the Thurrock Business Association Lunch last week.
Mike, who lives in Hornchurch, Essex, was blinded in a firework accident at the age of 10. But he didn’t let his disability get in the way of his passion for sport and over the last 40 years he has taken part in more than 50 different sports, ranging from surfing to sailing and skiing to cricket.
His many sporting achievements including completing two London Marathons, two ski marathons and the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon.
He first represented Great Britain at cross-country skiing in the first Winter Paralympic Games in 1976, and he then went on to represent his country at three World Championships, six Paralympic Games and two European Championships.
He also managed the GB cross-country ski team from 1988 to 1994, was Chef de Mission of the GB team at the 1998 Winter Paralympics in Nagano, Japan and Head of Delegation at the Salt Lake City Winter Paralympic Games three years ago.
Mike, who is Chief Executive of Vision 2020 UK, was elected Chairman of the British Paralympic Association three years ago. He is also a Board member of London 2012.
He has raised more than £300,000 for various charities through after dinner speaking and his first book, ‘Where there’s a Will’ was published in 1981, the year that Mike featured on ‘This is Your Life’.
