Going for Gold Paralympics Triathlon LA2028 TeamGB

Hi all, My name is Nathanael Hill (Nate), and I am an RAF veteran with a prosthetic leg!

During my time in the RAF, I was sent to the middle east on multiple occasions, however my last tour of duty saw me injured by shrapnel, over 12 years ago. I have been awarded the British Empire Medal and the American Meritorious service medal for my part in the campaign. The military took its toll on my body and I was diagnosed with late onset type 1 diabetes, as a result of this my leg never fully healed and after a blood clot in 2020 I went on to develop further complications which required my leg being put through many surgeries to try and get rid of the infection, however after 3 bouts of sepsis from the injuries which never fully healed and only worsened over covid and having to be resuscitated twice, the decision to remove the affected limb via an Above Knee (AK) amputation was made, and in October 2022 - I became a permanent Pirate! Being told that I had been resuscitated me realise there is so much more I want to do with life and one of my aims was to get back into being a competitive sportsman. So what better discipline than one which I loved doing for years - The Triathlon. So after speaking with my therapy team, and my fellow coaches (I coach Rugby Union in my spare time), I decided to set being a participant of the Paralympics 2028 as my goal! But I want GOLD!

More about me. I currently volunteer as a coach for my local LGBTQ+ inclusive Rugby Union Team - The Liverpool Tritons, I was a player, but since my amputation I am part of the coaching team. Last year we finished 2nd in our Northern league and 3rd in the UK Finals (of our league). I set myself the goal of getting back to horse riding after my amputation, and I achieved that this year, not 6 months after being put on a prosthetic, I practiced, I relearnt and I achieved. Not just sporty though,

I am currently studying Neuropsychology, Neurology and Neurosciences at Masters Level with the aim of starting my PhD in September 2024. My speciality is chronic pain, and I hope to contribute to the alleviation of chronic pain by methods that do not include opioids. It is important to me to show the world that just because we suffer pain, we are missing limbs, and have ghosts in our past, we are still superhuman! - We can achieve anything we put our minds and bodies too, as long as there is that belief, passion and drive. I am committed to this and by hook or by crook... I will do it!

So why am I raising funds?

For the first 8 months of 2024 I am on a journey of body conditioning, which means joining a gym and hiring a PT for at least one session a week. Unfortunately I do not have the spare funds available for this, furthermore I need to buy a road bike, a tailored wet suit (for open water swimming), cycle shoes, helmet etc etc the list goes on. The plan is to recondition my body for 8 months and do my first competitive paratriathlon in September 2024. Here I will announce that I am going for gold, year after year. From September, I will set another goal for sponsorship and fundraising. I am already in talks with the makers of my prosthetic leg about sponsorship, but this can only be done once I have proven myself in a race. So if you are able to donate anything towards my goal I would really appreciate it, furthermore if you want to be included in my upcoming website then please add a note to the donation, I am hoping that on my racing singlet to print the names of all those who have helped to make this a reality.

I will not let you down.

Costing breakdowns and why I need to raise at least £10K

Gym Costs for 4 years: £2000

Road Bike for Triathlon: £600

Tailored Wetsuits x2 : £400

Running blade and leg: £15000 (however I need to contribute 20% = £3000)

Competition entry fees for 4 years: £2000

Coaching and support staff fees for 4 years: £8000

Travel costs to competitions for 4 years: £6000

Once selected for Team GB, costings will be adjusted as they contribute to travel and coaching costs - but getting there is the Journey - Roll on September for the first Competition!