Sutherland para-canoeist Hope Gordon's parents make surprise trip to Canada to cheer her on as she competes in world championships finals

Sutherland para-athlete Hope Gordon will have some unexpected support today as she competes in the 2022 Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships, taking place in Canada from August 3-7.

Her parents, John and Rona Gordon, of West Langwell, Rogart, will be cheering her on from the sidelines at Lake Banook, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Mrs Gordon wrote in an email to the Northern Times: “We are in Nova Scotia supporting Hope at the world championships - she did not know we were coming.”

Hope has qualified for the finals in both the Va’a - a canoe with an outrigger to provide stability - and KL3 200m kayak competitions.

The Va’a final takes place today and the kayak final tomorrow.

Hope, a full-time athlete based at the British Canoeing Centre in Nottingham, has had her left leg amputated as a result of Complex Pain Regional Syndrome.

She posted on her social media page on the eve of her departure for Canada last Wednesday.

She said: “Celebrating six years having five toes and a whole new chance of living and loving life. Last bit of prep done and world championships kick off tomorrow."

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