Hong Kong medal is next in sight for fencing sensation Viv

Despite taking up the sport only four years ago, she has stunned the world of fencing with her numerous successes locally, nationally and internationally.

In her short time playing the sport Mills has won several bronze and silver medals, been British sabre champion for three years, achieved bronze at the Montreal championships and came fifth in the Lonato World Cup in Italy.

The inspiring athlete revealed how she become interested in the sport as she looked ahead to the Hong Kong event, which runs from today (Dec 13) until Sunday.

“I’ve been disabled for a long time and have always looked for a sport I could take part in,” she said.

“I used to play hockey and cricket but in 2008 I was watching the Beijing Paralympics and really enjoyed watching the wheelchair fencing.

“I tried to walk but I knew medical science still has a while to catch up so I wanted to do something in the mean time.”

Her decision has paid of - since 2008 she has stunned the world of fencing with her performances. One reason for her more recent successes has been the generous contribution of well-known Chichester sports firm Game Set and Match.

Mills had no-where to train other than the driveway outside her house, but after reading a piece about her plight in the Observer, bosses came to her rescue and she now trains weekly at their premises on the Quarry Lane industrial estate.

Mills said: “Game Set and Match have been enormously helpful, I used to have to train on my driveway and my neighbours would come out and watch.

“It wasn’t a very good way to train but they (Game Set and Match) were very generous.”