Ex-footballer's new goal is cash backing to market swell idea

Richard Mills, from Sheffield, launched Swellaway after his Sunday football career was ended by an ankle injury. It treats swelling and inflammation by alternating between heating and cooling, and adds compression. It can also be used to help warm-up muscles before exercise, he said.

Mr Mills, 37, developed the device with Design Futures, a centre for industrial collaboration in packaging and product design, at Sheffield Hallam University.

It has won a Smart Award from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and now Mr Mills is looking for an investment of 280,000 to launch the product to market.

The entrepreneur, who wants to sell to ordinary consumers, healthcare professionals and the equine industry, took part in workshops and mentoring sessions as part of Yorkshire Forward's Access to Finance for Healthcare Technologies programme.

He also won the backing of Dr Richard Higgins, a sports physician and club doctor at Sheffield Wednesday, who endorsed Swellaway and gave him feedback.

Mr Mills said: "I have been delighted at how well our product has been received by the industry; it's provided me with the extra energy to make sure it's even more successful now. The Access to Finance programme has given me a real insight into what investors are looking for in the current market."

Lisa Ward of Grant Thornton, which manages the programme, said: "Truly innovative healthcare technologies remain an attractive investment opportunity in the UK and the opportunities for Swellaway are numerous."