The National Paralympic Heritage Trust (NPHT) is excited to announce the generous donation of a gold prosthetic foot by Australian comedian, radio, and television presenter Adam Hills MBE. This unique prosthetic, adorned with the names of the Great British gold medallists from the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, has found its permanent home at the National Paralympic Heritage Centre in Aylesbury.
In the lead-up to the 2016 Paralympic Games, Adam was invited to motivate the Paralympic GB Team. During his speech, he made a bold promise: if the British athletes secured more medals than their Australian counterparts, he would paint his prosthetic foot gold and write the names of every Great British gold medal winner on it. His reasoning was as humorous as it was motivational, noting that “there is no greater incentive for British athletes than to humiliate an Australian.” True to his word, Adam has proudly worn this distinctive prosthetic for the past seven years.
Adam has been a dedicated supporter of the Paralympic Movement, hosting his nightly comedy show, ‘The Last Leg,’ throughout the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which has earned multiple series renewals. Recently awarded an MBE for his outstanding contributions to Paralympic sport and disability awareness, Adam continues to wholeheartedly champion the cause.
Heritage
Expressing his delight at the decision to donate his gold prosthetic foot to the NPHT, Adam Hills said, “I’ve had a foot in the UK for quite some time now, and it’s lovely to know that will continue for many years to come – regardless of where the rest of my body is located. I feel so honoured to be a small part of the Paralympic Movement, and I’m chuffed to know that a small part of me will be in the National Paralympic Heritage Centre.”
The National Paralympic Heritage Trust is equally honoured to display Adam’s iconic foot at the Heritage Centre, where it will be accessible to visitors from across the country. Victoria Hope-Walker, Chair of the NPHT, stated, “Adam’s generous donation is a distinctive addition to our collection, and we appreciate his dedication to preserving the history and accomplishments of Paralympic athletes. This remarkable prosthetic foot will inspire and captivate visitors, reinforcing the values of determination, courage, and unity that define the Paralympic spirit.
With ambitious plans for Adam’s foot, we hope that next summer, it will embark on a countywide journey, as other museums and libraries have expressed a keen interest in displaying it. This initiative aligns with Buckinghamshire’s broader plans to commemorate Paris 2024, as the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement.”
The NPHT welcomes the public to view this extraordinary piece of Paralympic history, now proudly on display at the National Paralympic Heritage Centre in Aylesbury.
Rehabilitation
The National Paralympic Heritage Trust (NPHT) has been established ‘to enlighten and inspire future generations by celebrating, cherishing and bringing the Paralympic heritage and its stories of human endeavour to life.’ The heritage tells the history of a remarkable movement beginning with the arrival of Dr Guttmann as a Jewish refugee from Germany in 1939 and his appointment to Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 1943 when he introduced sport for the rehabilitation of servicemen with spinal cord injuries. It has led the way in changing attitudes towards disabled people and influenced the development of new medical, scientific, and engineering technologies. The four founding members of the National Paralympic Heritage Trust are the British Paralympic Association, WheelPower – British Wheelchair Sport, and Buckinghamshire Council. Contributing partners include the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation, the National Spinal Injuries Centre, Discover Bucks Museum Trust, and Buckinghamshire Archives.
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The Last Leg New Year’s Eve Special
Tune into The Last Leg’s end-of-year special ‘The Last Leg of the Year’ that will showcase Adam’s prosthetic foot in its new home at the National Paralympic Heritage Centre, on Channel 4 on the 31st of December at 9pm.
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