Jessica-Jane Applegate has secured a new sponsorship deal with Bradwell Butcher, owned by Andrew Edmonds ©Bradwell Butcher

British Paralympic gold medallist Jessica-Jane Applegate has secured a sponsorship deal with a local butcher to help her prepare for Rio 2016.

Applegate, a competitor in the S14 classification for swimmers with intellectual disabilities, won the women's 200 metres freestyle at London 2012.

Now, Bradwell Butchery from Norfolk is to help the 18-year-old from Great Yarmouth get ready to defend her title. 

“I have always loved sports and I am proud to be supporting such a young, talented and dedicated athlete," said Andrew Edmonds, the owner of Bradwell Butchery. 

"When I met with Jessica I was delighted to see someone so young remain so focused on their goals, I feel like I can truly relate to that; starting my business as a young man and watching it grow over the years has required perseverance and hard work - something Jessica knows all about.

"Having struggled myself with academic subjects at school, when such disabilities as dyslexia were not so recognised, it makes me even more determined and delighted to help Jessica-Jane in her campaign for Rio.

“I know with any athlete there are always potential funding problems and I am glad Jessica can now have the majority of her required carbohydrates and protein intake in a balanced and exciting diet supplied by Bradwell Butchery.”

Britain's Jessica-Jane Applegate is the Paralympic and world 200m freestyle champion in the S14 category
Britain's Jessica-Jane Applegate is the Paralympic and world 200 metres freestyle champion in the S14 category ©Getty Images

The new sponsorship deal will help Applegate prepare for the International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships in Glasgow later this year.

She will be defending the 200m freestyle title she won at the last Championships in Montreal two years ago, where she also collected a silver medal in the 200m individual medley and bronze in the 100m freestyle. 

“I am so excited about the partnership with myself and Bradwell Butchery," she said.

"I love my food, but have to eat so much protein it can become boring and everything has to be checked by my nutritionist first, so everything has to be just right.

“I have visited Andrew, we have chatted and he has shown me so many different meal plans and varieties that I cannot wait to get started.

"Andrew really understands my needs and can cater for different programmes or schedules I am doing.”


Related stories
February 2013: Paralympic swimming champion Applegate has new building named in her honour
September 2012: Swimmer makes history as first intellectually disabled Briton to strike gold at London 2012 Paralympics