A COUPLE who have been chosen to represent England in the Commonwealth Games are appealing for sponsorship.

Callum Hall, originally from Yeadon, and his wife Jade Jones are among 18 para athletes who will compete with the national team at the competition in Australia in April.

Callum, 25, has been chosen to represent England in the marathon. Jade, 21, has been selected to take part in the triathlon. She has already competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

The couple, who live in County Durham, are now in training for the event.

Callum was studying to be a PE teacher when he was left paralysed from the chest down after a freak accident on a Greek holiday in 2012. He developed a spinal abscess after stepping on a sea urchin and was told he was unlikely to walk again.

Callum said: “Training is going really well at the minute for both of us despite the freezing temperatures, I’ve started the year with a huge marathon PB in Dubai and finished 7th. Which gives me confidence as I prepare to travel to Gold Coast to represent England in the commonwealth games.

“I am immensely proud to be selected to represent England and to be doing so alongside my wife Jade who will compete in the Paratriathlon and the marathon is just incredible. We are looking for sponsorship and if any groups or businesses are interested in us please email us at:callumhallwcr@outlook.com”

Team England will send around 600 athletes and staff to the event. The athletes will compete in 18 sports, including 38 para medal events.

When the names of the para athletes were announced Martin Rush, England’s Athletics Team Leader, said: “What was already a strong team is now even stronger, with the addition of a number of Paralympic and World Para Athletics Championships medallists.

“The Games afford us a welcome opportunity to send a team that combines the talents of both para and non-disability athletes and we cannot wait to see them in action.”