A FUND set up to help disabled people pursue their chosen sport has just been wound up, having distributed more than £30,000.

It was established in Beaminster 20 years ago by the family of the late Terry Collin, the west Dorset journalist who died suddenly at his home in 2002 aged 59.

Terry, one of the most respected members of his profession in the area and held in the highest esteem by his peers, was acclaimed for his talent, integrity and sense of fair play by his colleagues.

Terry, pictured below, spent much of his working life as a most knowledgeable sports reporter with the Bridport News and the Dorset Echo during which time he developed a great admiration for all who overcame disability to succeed in the field of sport in any capacity.

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With this in mind, his sisters, Heather, Mary and Anna, chose the criteria for supporting applications for help.

Grants, to help with travel, training an equipment costs, were given to eight recipients, among them locals Paul Blake, who won two track gold medals and silver over two Paralympic Games and deaf swimmer Lulu Cummings who took silver and bronze medals in national meetings.

Many sporting organisations, national and local, and several prominent performers have backed fund raising. Quick to respond were arguably the greatest Paralympian of them all, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson who, took 11 gold medals, four silvers and a bronze at five games, and rower James Cracknell, a double Olympic gold medallist.

The fund’s final grant of £5,357, has been given to Beaminster Cricket Club, which has a policy for supporting disabled youngsters. It will perpetuate Terry’s memory with a cup to be contested on Friday, June 24, with a special game featuring the club’s youth squad at the Memorial Playing Field. Anna will present the trophy.

“We know that Terry would be delighted to know that so many wellwishers have supported a cause that he held so dear,” said fund chairman Heather.

“The help and backing we have received from so many clubs and other sources has been a great inspiration to us. The local organisations and some very caring people have been tremendous. We thank everybody so much.”