Athletes visit Knowsley primary schools
Athletes visit Knowsley primary schools. Olympic and Paralympic athletes have visited 14 primary schools across Knowsley to inspire more than 4,000 children across the borough to get more involved with sport.
Paralympians Craig McCann, Lee Whiteley and Michael Churm, and Olympic divers James Denny and Rebecca Gallentree joined staff and pupils to deliver fitness circuit classes and a motivational assembly for the whole school.
On a visit to Plantation Primary School in Halewood, sprinter Lee Whiteley delivered an inspirational talk to staff and pupils about how he overcame obstacles to become a medal-winning and British record holding Paralympic athlete.
Lee was born with cerebral palsy. After making the decision to compete in disability sports following an illness in 2011, Lee went on to win a bronze medal in the 200 metres at the IPC Athletic World Championship in 2013.
Like Lee, Joel Hargreaves, a Year 3 pupil at Plantation, also has a disability so meeting Lee was especially important for him.
He said: “Lee has proved that he won’t let anything stand in his way, just like I’ve been trying to do by really pushing myself. I really want to achieve my goals like Lee and I hope that one day I’ll be able to play football matches again.
“His story gave me hope and I know that no matter what is thrown my way, I just have to get up and keep trying.”
Victoria Cheung, Schools 4 Health wellbeing co-ordinator at 5 Boroughs Partnership said: “It’s a pleasure working with Plantation and the other primary schools across Knowsley. The schools’ willingness to embrace the programme has been integral to its success and we’re delighted with the results we’ve seen in a relatively short space of time.
“Hearing from Olympic and Paralympic athletes who have overcome hurdles to achieve such amazing things is truly inspiring and we hope it sends a message to the children that anything can be possible if you really put your mind to it.”