As Maryport Paralympian hopeful Simon Lawson waits for news of his selection, a group of his fans believe it is a foregone conclusion.

They are so confident they are holding a charity event on June 19 to help fund his Rio dream.

At the moment, only British Paralympian superstar David Weir, is beating the 33-year-old Maryport man who has been competing all over the world in a bid to make the Rio team.

Most recently he was the second Brit home in the London Marathon, taking 10th place overall. He won the Manchester 10k event last weekend. 

He was bitterly disappointed to miss out on the London Paralympics after he became ill and just missed out on his times.

This time all is going well but he said becoming a Paralympian is not just about meeting expectations in one sport.

"They will take a squad of 40 or 50 athletes, based on our medal chances. That means, while I might be second fastest in the marathon in Britain, there are four people likely to get medals in the 100 metres."

He still has an agonising two or three weeks to wait until he knows if he has been selected.

In the meantime, though, he said he is heading to Switzerland for more competition to help seal his place at Rio.

Kate Sanderson, one of the organisers of the charity night, said she hoped there would be a huge turn out, "not just because we hope it is going to be a good night but also to help a Maryport man go to the Olympics."

The charity event will be held at the Grasslot Welfare club.

Buyers Club, Homegrown, Miss D and the Mustang, Broken English and special guests House of 3 Hands will perform while Gordon Mattinson will act as compere. The event runs from 2pm, tickets are £5.