Wyre Forest Paralympic heroine inspires Franche school children (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Wyre Forest Paralympic heroine inspires Franche school children

7:50am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News By William Tomaney

A WYRE Forest Paralympic heroine has paid a visit to Kidderminster school which has just received a lottery grant for new play facilities.

Pupils and staff at Franche Community Primary School, Chestnut Grove, were “inspired” by London 2012 Paralympic silver and bronze medal swimmer Claire Cashmore in a special assembly.

Ms Cashmore talked about being a Paralympic athlete and showed off her medals to pupils.

Emma Running, sports co-ordinator, said: “We did a lot of work over the summer to embrace the Olympic values and to leave a lasting legacy at the school.

“It was wonderful that Claire was able to come into school and show the children if you work hard and persevere you can do it, in fact anything is possible. It made the Olympics and Paralympics real for them rather than being something they saw on TV.”

Pupil Kathryn Shaw, 8, said: “I really enjoyed seeing the medals and Claire Cashmore. She told us we should believe in ourselves and work hard and if we do we can achieve something to be proud of.”

At the same time, the school revealed a Big Lottery Fund Awards for All grant had been received for a new adventure trail which includes monkey bars and a climbing wall.

Dominic Simpson, deputy head, said: “The children have participated fully in this project and we are delighted the end result has been so popular with children throughout the school.

The provision of the adventure trail has provided both physical and mental challenges for our children and the wider community.”