A HELENSBURGH resident has launched a petition calling on the International Olympic Committee to step in with financial help for this month's Paralympics in Rio.

Jeanne Brady's online petition, launched on August 22, was inspired by the success of Burgh wheelchair tennis ace Gordon Reid, who begins his bid for Paralympic glory on Friday, September 9.

She launched the petition at www.38degrees.org.uk after the International Paralympic Committee's announcement that the Games were facing a major budget shortfall. Estimated at around £10 million, forcing the closure of venues, cuts to transport services and media facilities and job losses.

The funding gap also means the payment of travel grants vital to enable teams to travel to Brazil has been delayed.

So far Jeanne's campaign has attracted 3,232 signatures – well on the way to her goal of 4,000.

In the introduction to her petition Jeanne says: “The last two Olympic rounds - China and the UK - saw enormous strides for differently-abled athletes, and those who admire them and draw strength from their example.

“When Brazil was awarded the Games, its economy was booming - now it's not. So far, Olympic athletes have not noticeably suffered from this downturn; why should Paralympic athletes suffer?

“Surely the International Olympic Committee can stump up the money to make the Paralympics the success they should be, rather than a shadow of Rio's 2016 Olympics?”

Many of the people who have signed the petition so far have also added comments in support of the campaign – among them 'Jane H', who said: “There is such a clear voice coming from the Olympics and the Paralympics and it is about equality.

“Nowhere else do we see such evidence of how much better the world is, how joyous it can be. We are also privileged to encounter these wonderful athletes displaying the best they can do and it is worth every penny that we contribute to help them.”

'Suzanna R' added: “Loved the Paralympics in Sydney and London. The Rio situation puts down all disabled people as not worth the investment. Shame.”

And 'Deirdre B' said: “I am absolutely appalled by this. I felt that Brazil should not have hosted anyway because of the poverty, but that is no excuse now for not funding the Paralympics.

“Disabled people have as much right as anyone else to try and achieve - not just for their country in these sports, but as people in their own right.

“I would like 38 Degrees to take up other campaigns on behalf the disabled and vulnerable people of our society.”