In 1998, Maclean launched his Foundation and in the years that have followed, hundreds of Australians have received financial assistance to purchase items such as new wheelchairs, vehicle and house modifications, surgery and medical assistance.

APC chief executive Lynne Anderson spoke of her delight to welcome the Foundation on board, as a charity partner of the Australian Paralympic Team.

“John is an outstanding Australian who has accomplished so much over a decorated career on and off the sporting arena," she said.

"We are so proud to officially welcome John’s Foundation into the Paralympic family.

“The APC and JMF share so many values and this is a partnership we know can achieve great things."

Maclean is one of Australia’s most well-known Paralympians, having competed in wheelchair racing at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and winning rowing silver at Beijing 2008.

Away from the Paralympic Movement, his list of other sporting accomplishments is also long.

He became the first wheelchair athlete to complete the gruelling Hawaiian Ironman race and was also the first to swim the English Channel.

“The John Maclean Foundation exists to change the lives of young Australians and it’s our mission is to inspire, motivate and enable people to chase their dreams,” Maclean said.

“At the heart of what both organisations do is to improve the lives of Australians living with impairments and I’m excited to be working closely with the APC to continue to do this, over what we hope is a long and successful partnership.”

The funding provided by the JMF will be allocated to athletes from three sports ahead of the Rio Games, in consultation with the relevant National Federations.

Maclean added he was "proud to play a role in nurturing the next generation of Paralympic talent and ensuring they have the best possible chance for success at the Rio Games".