Paralympic closing ceremony honour for Littlehampton hero

Former Littlehampton man, Mike Goody, will be one of the privileged few to be taking part in this evening’s closing ceremony for the Paralympic Games.

Mike whose left leg was amputated following a roadside bomb explosion in Afghanistan, has already completed a run with the Paralympic torch, last month.

And for the past few weeks, the 27-year-old – formerly of White Horses Way, but who now lives in Felpham – has been busy rehearsing for his part in the worldwide spectacle – although he has to remain tight-lipped about the honour.

Speaking to the Gazette on Tuesday (September 4), Mike said that he was “excited but nervous” about the role he will play in the games’ grand finale, which is expected to be watch by hundreds of millions across the globe.

He will be playing a key part in one of the displays during the spectacle, which is set to see pop sensations Coldplay, Rhianna and rap star Jay Z performing.

“I can’t go into details of what I will be doing,” he admitted. “But from what I have seen at the rehearsals, the closing ceremony will be spectacular.”

However, injury almost put a halt on the soldier’s Paralympic dream.

Mike said he was taken to hospital following a fall in the shower – just hours before he was due to take part in the torch relay.

“I slipped getting out of the shower and cracked the porcelain toilet with my stump,” he said.

“I told the doctors to pack me full of painkillers because I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of this once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

To read more on Mike’s closing ceremony honour, pick up a copy of next week’s Gazette (Thursday, September 13).