Brighton Paralympian brings medals to hospital

Brighton-based Paralympian Will Bayley has shown patients at a local hospital his medals during a visit.

Bayley, who is ranked the world number one Paralympic Table Tennis player, visited the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.

He has won one gold medal, in Brazil in 2016, and also has four silvers, including one he won in Paris earlier this year.

The athlete, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of seven, said: "It's in my heart how important these places are.

"Just to give a little bit of time back is absolutely nothing. It's so important what they do."

Bayley was born with arthrogryposis which affects all four of his limbs and limits the range of motion in the joints. He was also diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma during childhood.

"I had lots of operations on my limbs when I was growing up from zero to seven," he said.

James Lowell, chief executive of the hospital, said having Bayley as an ambassador for the hospital's charity wing "really helps".

During his visit, Bayley was reunited with Kim Brinkworth, the lead nurse for Team GB and a ward manager at the hospital.

Ms Brinkworth said: "I've come across him at the last five games I've been at.

"Most recently in Paris where he was competing and I had the opportunity to go down and watch a couple of his matches, which was great."

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.