VISITORS to the Cornwall Motor Show can meet a Paralympic hopeful as a Nissan dealership lays on a thrilling exhibition stand for the county’s biggest automotive event of the year.
Double World Champion paratriathlete Melissa Reid will be signing autographs and chatting about her preparations for Rio 2016 at the Town and Country Motor Centre stand.
Melissa, who has a high level of visual impairment, is being supported by the Nissan dealership, based in Marazanvose, near Truro, through Nissan’s partnership with the British Paralympic Association. The dealership has given her family the free use of a Nissan Qashqai to transport her to training sessions and competitions around the country.
As a thank you, Melissa will appear at the Nissan stand from 11am to 1pm on both days.
The stand will also feature the Nissan Racing Wheelchair Experience, where visitors can see what it is like to take part in a Paralympic wheelchair race. Visitors can also try out the GT-R Experience, where they can enjoy the thrill of getting behind the wheel of the supercar.
Melissa, from Truro, said: “All the staff at Town and Country Motors have been so supportive. Having the use of the Qashqai means so much to me – it is amazingly generous and takes away a huge financial burden.
“Sponsorship is difficult to come by and my parents are largely funding my career so having Town and Country Motors’ support is even more important. I’m looking forward to chatting to visitors to their stand at the Cornwall Motor Show.”
Melissa began competing in 2011 and has enjoyed a stellar rise to the top of her sport, which involves a 750m swim tied to the ankle of her guide, a 20km tandem bike ride and a 5km run tied to her guide at the waist.
The sport will feature in the Paralympic Games for the first time at Rio 2016, and as a previous double world champion Melissa is one of the favourites for gold.
Mick Wheeler, Sales Executive at Town and Country Nissan, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to support Melissa on the road to Rio.
“We know she’s going all out to get gold in Rio, and knowing we are playing some part in helping her achieve her goals is a real source of pride for everyone at the dealership.”
The Cornwall Motor Show – held at Heartlands in Pool, just off the A30 – is organised by the West Briton, The Cornishman and Cornish Guardian stable of newspapers and is held from 10am to 5pm on both days. It is free entry.
The partnership between the dealership and Melissa was formed through Nissan’s role as the Official Automotive Partner of ParalympicsGB and Team GB on the road to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. As part of this, Nissan has launched the #UniteAndExcite campaign which will provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to athletes’ stories and news of how Nissan’s innovative technology could improve performance.
Fans can follow #UniteAndExcite at www.nissan.co.uk/uniteandexcite