PARALYMPIC legend Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has backed a scheme by North East firms to raise cash for a disability sports group.

Billingham-based Nicholson’s Transport started its Goldrush campaign donating £10 for every gold medal won by Team GB at the Paralympics to the Durham Area Disability Leisure Group (DADLG).

The appeal is well on its way to beating its £2,000 target after other North East businesses and individuals matched Nicholson’s pledge. They include Casper Shipping, Driver Hire Nationwide, Seaton Carew Sports Domes and packaging company RPS.

Now Baroness Grey-Thompson – who is patron of DADLG – has given her support to the appeal.

She said: ““In this special year, we are all looking for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to leave a lasting legacy. DADLG can play a big part in this and spread the word that sport and fitness are so important if we want to promote healthy living.”

DADLG provides sports and leisure opportunities for up to 300 young people and their families with activities including quad biking, taekwondo, football, trampoline, cycling, sailing and climbing. Its members are young people aged between eight and 25, with physical, learning, sensory and multiple disabilities.

Nicholson’s Transport decided to launch its gold medal pledge after realising its own silver anniversary coincided with the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic.

Managing director David Nicholson said: “We have been great admirers and supporters of DADLG for many years because they raise the hopes and aspirations of the young people they work with.

“It’s an amazing group and I am absolutely delighted that we have had so many pledges of support from other businesses in the area.”