UP-AND-COMING Sunderland athlete Matt Wylie has been given a major sponsorship boost with a very local and personal edge as he steps up his efforts to fulfil his dream of representing his country at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
The 17 year-old swimming sensation, who attended London 2012 as part of the British Paralympic Association’s Paralympic Inspiration Programme, has taken delivery of a 100% electric Nissan LEAF, built at the carmaker’s record-breaking factory a stone’s throw from his home and where his dad Mike has worked for 23 years.
The double European junior champion, who only passed his driving test in April, will clock up hundreds of miles a week in the trailblazing model – supplied by Wessington Way Nissan dealer Evans Halshaw – as he makes his way to training and physio sessions across the North East and beyond.
And he believes the ultra-smooth drive offered by the pure electric LEAF, not to mention the low running costs of just two pence per mile, will be a massive benefit as he intensifies his efforts to be part of the ParalympicsGB squad in Rio and achieve his ultimate goal of bringing home the gold.
Collecting the keys to his new car, a delighted Matt, who has cerebral palsy, said: “This is absolutely fantastic. Just having a car to get around in is going to make my life so much easier and really help me with my training and preparation.
“I travel about 300 miles a week getting to training and physio sessions and it’s important to arrive as fresh as I can. There are charging points everywhere in the North East so it’s going to save a lot of money and the LEAF is so smooth and easy to drive, especially with my disability, that it’s going to help massively with my training.
“I also love the fact I can use my phone to de-ice the car on cold winter mornings and so won’t have to turn up at high intensity workout sessions freezing cold like I did last year.”
But it’s not just receiving the car itself that’s given Matt a boost. He’s also drawn pride and confidence from the fact it represents support from the local community, especially those who work at the Nissan plant and at Evans Halshaw.
Matt said: “Knowing my car was built literally a 10 minute walk from my house is terrific. Obviously, the factory is a massive part of the area and the dealership is only just down the road too so knowing that I have the support of local people behind me is a great feeling.”
Matt’s dad Mike, who works as an IT Manager at the Nissan factory is also proud of the brand’s support for his son and the fact he’ll be driving a car built in his home city.
Mike said: “It’s incredible and, looking back to the early days with Matt, I never thought I would see anything like this happen.
“I’m really proud that a company like ours is supporting events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games and helping athletes like Matt.
“My colleagues have been really supportive all the way. They’re really happy for Matt and are always following his career.”
The partnership between the dealership and Matt was formed through Nissan’s role as the Official Automotive Partner of ParalympicsGB and Team GB on the road to the Rio 2016 Paralympic & 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
Alan Sedman, Dealer Principal at Evans Halshaw Nissan on Washington Way, said: “We are extremely thrilled to be able to support Matt on the road to Rio and I’m sure he will absolutely love his new car.
“It’s an especially great source of pride for everyone at the dealership knowing that we are backing an athlete with such strong links to Nissan by giving him a car that was built right here in the city where he was born and raised.
“Knowing that we’re playing some small part in helping him realise his sporting dreams is amazing.”
