Bethany Firth ‘overwhelmed’ by welcome home

Bethany Firth has said that she has been overwhelmed by the welcome home she received to NI on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old arrived home to George Best City Airport from the Rio Paralympics with four very important items to declare – her haul of three gold and one silver medals.

And there was one visitor particularly delighted to see her, her little dog Russell.

“I never thought I would get this response when I got home, it’s overwhelming – and I’m really just so thankful for everyone’s support," she said.

“They really brought a little bit of Northern Ireland to Rio for me, and that’s exactly what I needed when I was over there.

“All my races went really well, better than planned, and that made all the hard work and the early mornings worth it.

“I couldn’t have done it without all the support, from my family, and everyone else who was with me over the past few years. Their help got me where I am today.

“Now it will be great to be able to spend some time with my family.”