Paralympian champ Merkur’s star man

Gauselmann Group’s Merkur UK subsidiary has a new brand ambassador in world number one Paralympian table tennis player Will Bayley.

Bayley has appeared in a number of TV shows, including the 2019 series of BBC TV’s Strictly Come Dancing, and will take a central role in the development of the Merkur Initiative programme that has provided financial support to 44 community-based charities and good causes over the past year.

General manager Sascha Blodau (pictured left with Will) said: “Will has a remarkable story, having been born with a rare congenital disorder that affected all four of his limbs.

“He underwent numerous operations at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital from the age of just three months and returned to the acclaimed children’s hospital for chemotherapy treatment after he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma aged seven years.

“Having taken up table tennis while recovering from cancer he has gone on a remarkable and inspirational journey to become the most successful British Paralympic table tennis player of all time and was confirmed as the world number one at a recent tournament in Finland.

“His fascinating story also includes a period attending the British School for Performing Arts and Drama as well as being made an MBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours List.”