Jersey sport benefits from success of Paralympics

Mr Patterson said taking part in sport had benefits in terms of confidence and social interaction

The success of ParalympicsGB has led to an increase in support for the Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled.

Chairman Paul Patterson said he was very surprised by the unprecedented amount of interest that had been shown.

He said not only have they had people wanting to compete, but also people wanting to volunteer and companies offering sponsorship.

Currently more than 200 people compete in disabled sports in the island.

Mr Patterson said sport had many benefits. "You improve the way you feel about yourself, your overall confidence levels, your health," he said.

"It leads on to all sorts of wonderful things outside of sport [including] social interaction and employability."

No Channel Island athletes competed as part of the Great Britain Paralympic squad.