Moorcroft, who set the world record in 1981 and which stood for six years, joins the likes of 1992 lympic 400m hurdles champion Sally Gunnell, England blind football manager Tony Larkin and Paralympic judo star Ben Quilter and five-time Paralympic gold medallist Noel Thatcher on the list of BBS patrons.

“As BBS patron, I am looking forward to the opportunity to extend my support to both children and adults with sight loss,” the 62-year-old Moorcroft said.

“BBS does such great work providing opportunities to help the visually impaired community gain positive experiences and develop their skills through sport.

“I am honoured to have been asked to be involved in such a progressive sporting organisation.”

Moorcroft’s senior athletics career began in 1973 and lasted until the late 1980’s, although the later part of his time on the track proved difficult after he suffered a pelvic injury at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where he finished 14th in the 5,000m.

He then went on to serve as chief executive of UK Athletics for a decade between 1997 and 2007 and he is currently the director of sport for Join In, the British national charity for local sports volunteering.

“Twenty fifteen is a year of celebration for British Blind Sport and for David to join us in our 40th anniversary year is very special to the charity and our members,” BBS chief executive Alaina MacGregor said.

“BBS recognises David as a successful British athlete in his own right.

“He is a person who has used his ability and passion to strive to help others achieve their best through sport.

“This is a value that aligns to all that we hope to achieve for visually impaired people from grassroots to Paralympic level. 

“We are thrilled that he recognises the work of the charity and that he has agreed to join us as a patron.” 

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