PAUL Blake says his claims that sponsors are more interested in supporting Paralympic athletes with more visible disabilities were made because “no-one really wants to speak out about it”.

Blake, who reckons it is “impossible” for those with conditions such as cerebral palsy like himself to attract big sponsorship deals, felt he was in a position to address the matter.

He made his feelings known as a campaign – Supercharge Paralympics GB – was launched in a bid to generate funding for the British team ahead of Rio 2016.

Speaking to Echosport about the comments he made, he said: “It was just about trying to get sponsorship for not only myself, but for other cerebral palsy athletes because it’s impossible.

“The bigger companies seem to go with the guys with a more visible disability and it’s really frustrating. No-one really wants to speak out about it. There are only certain athletes that can and I’m in a position where I felt I could.”

Blake is currently on the top tier of UK Athletics funding and is “not necessarily struggling”, but he would be grateful for any extra support he can get.

“The funding I get goes on my house and when that’s all paid for there is hardly any money left for things like my kit,” he added.

“That’s something I shouldn’t have to pay for but I’ve had to the whole time I’ve been running.”