Sport

Four-time Winter Paralympian medalist Jade Etherington will be turning on the Christmas lights in this year’s annual event on Lincoln High Street.

Jade Etherington collects numerous awards at this year’s Lincolnshire Sports Awards.

Etherington, who won three silver medals and a bronze for skiing in Sochi 2014, will be turning on the lights on November 20.

Also joining her will be the Mayor, Councillor Brent Charlesworth, and the Mayor’s Christmas card competition winner.

Being brought up in Lincoln from a young age, this is something the Paralympian is excited about, as she is rarely at home during the festive period.

Etherington said: “I’m so excited to do the Lincoln Christmas lights this year. I’m never here at Christmas and I never to get to see them turned on, or see them at all.

“I’m lucky to be in Lincoln when it gets dark early as I am normally away.”

She continued: “I’m really excited. The honour to come back here and meet all sorts of people and to be chosen to turn the Christmas lights on in the High Street, is great. Also to do the tour and go round the schools is great too.

“Doing these sorts of things is a good chance to give something back to the people who watched me during the winter.”

The Christmas light switch on is a success every year and Kate Fenn, Civic manager at City of Lincoln Council, believes this year is going to be a fantastic occasion for the public.

She continued by praising Jade Etherington, saying it is the perfect way to start the Christmas festivities in Lincoln.

She said: “We can’t wait for the lights switch on as it means Christmas is well and truly on its way.

“It will be a fantastic event and something we know the people of Lincoln always look forward to.

“Jade has had a phenomenal year, becoming Britain’s most successful female Winter Paralympian. We’re all so proud of her achievements and it’s fantastic that she will be there to mark the start of the festive season.”

Former Lincoln Ladies captain, Casey Stoney, has publically revealed that she is gay.

31-year-old Stoney, who is also the England skipper, stated how the courage of other high profile sports stars to publically out themselves gave her the strength to do the same.

In recent months both diver Tom Daley and ex-footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger have both spoken out about their sexuality.

Stoney, who recently joined Arsenal, has received wide spread backing from high profile names, including former England international Gary Lineker and former teammates.

Lineker took to Twitter to say “All the very best to England women’s football captain Casey Stoney. Her ‘coming out’ is another important step forward.”

Former Lincoln teammate Meg Harris, also voiced her support to her former captain, who captained Great Britain at the Olympics in 2012.

“I couldn’t be prouder of Casey Stoney today. I really hope this can help inspire and support others.”