Patrick Cox, a learner at RNIB College Loughborough, was invited to attend a celebration evening at De Montfort University as a guest of honour, on Tuesday 15 November. The event was held to celebrate the success of the region's Special Olympians, those people who show an amazing talent in sport, who also have additional needs or difficulties. Patrick, who competes in the sport of Table-Tennis, is one of only 9 Special Olympians in the region.

Earlier this year Patrick competed in the Special Olympics held in Athens and despite it being his first ever international competition he came away with a gold medal in the Men's Singles and silver in the Men's Doubles. He also represented Great Britain at the 2011 Global Games in Italy last September.

Patrick has now been awarded the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme. This means that he can receive funding to compete in more international competitions and receive support from professionals at Loughborough University in Mentoring, Physiotherapy, Strength and Conditioning, Physiology, Nutrition, Performance lifestyle and Psychology.

Looking forward, Patrick says that it's his dream to compete in the 2016 Paralympics.

'I am currently in training with my coach at Knighton Park. I have a couple of competitions coming up and I'm hoping to increase my ranking points and then train for the 2016 Paralympics.'