A FORMER policewoman from Taunton who was left in a wheelchair following a car crash has set her sights on competing in Rio 2016.

Amanda George was working for Avon and Somerset Constabulary 15 years ago when she was involved in a collision while attending an emergency call-out.

The crash left her with injuries to her spine forcing her to retire from the job she loved.

As the injuries deteriorated over time, the mother-of-two suffered partial paralysis and was left searching for something to focus her mind.

The sharp-shooting 43-year-old tried her hand at archery and less than a year later she is harbouring ambitions to book her seat on the plane to Brazil.

She told the County Gazette: “I was injured 15 years ago in a road traffic collision while I was on an emergency call.

“I retired medically from the police force and went away and had children and all the rest of it, but the injury to my spine deteriorated over the years and in June 2012 I suffered partial paralysis down my left hand side, which left me in need of the use of a wheelchair.

“I had to find something else and as I used to be quite a handy markswoman I went to meet the shooting team on an open day. They were impressed with me and told me to go and join the local club, and it went on from there.

“Eight months ago I had never touched a bow and arrow and now I am selected for Team GB – it still hasn’t sunk in, really.

“It has been amazing to be coached by the best coaches in the world – everyone seems really proud of me. It was fantastic to focus my mind on something else and it helped me along the way because you have to have something to aim at and have a goal.

“When you get out of bed in the morning it’s great to have that drive and you need to have that silver lining because I struggle every day.”

Amanda is on the lookout for local businesses which may like to sponsor her to help her get to the Lilleshall training base, among other costs. Anyone who would like to offer sponsorship can contact Amanda on 07826-542574.