Paralympians to be celebrated in stamp set

The set of six first class stamps, showing groups of winners, were described as “an integral part of the paralympic legacy in the UK”, by Britain’s 11-time Paralympic athletics champion Baroness Grey-Thompson.

Apart from the London 2012 Paralympics logo and the Queen’s head, the look of the stamp has not been confirmed as the winners have yet to be crowned.

The Paralympics run from August 29 to September 9 and the six-pack goes on sale from 27 September to 31 December.

This is the quickest turnover that Royal Mail could manage amid hopes the British team may repeat the medal success of the 42 golds it won at Beijing 2008 to come second in the medals table.

The Royal Mail is also handing over £200,000 which will be split equally between the Paralympics GB gold medallists.

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Fitting tribute

This summer’s Paralympics, which can be traced back to a competition for the war wounded at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 1948, are heading back home for the first time.

Baroness Grey-Thompson said: “I’m delighted that Royal Mail will be producing stamps to celebrate the nation’s gold medals at the Paralympic games this summer.

“The return of the Paralympic Games to the UK makes it an even more special event and I look forward to celebrating every win with the team.”

British Paralympic Association chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “Commemorating our gold medallists’ achievements on a set of stamps is a first in the history of the Paralympic Games.

“It is a fitting tribute which demonstrates how far the movement has come in recent times.”