Paralympian inspires High Peak's future heroes of sport

Paralympian Michael Churm dropped in on the children at Fairfield Endowed Junior School to talk to them about his achievements.

Michael, who has cerebral palsy and won silver in the 100m relay for Team GB at the 2000 Paralympic games in Sydney, took part in a variety of sporting activities with the children and staff, before giving them the inspirational talk.

There were four activities, which were ‘spotty dogs’, involving jogging on the spot, ‘mountain climbers’, during which a person gets on all fours and mimics climbing, press ups and star jumps.

Teaching assistant Danielle Mellor commented: “The children were very excited. It was very inspirational and they enjoyed talking to him.

“It was nice for them to see someone overcoming adversity.”

Michael’s visit was arranged through Sports for Schools, an organisation which aims to get the younger generation interested in sport early through special visits from sporting stars and successful athletes such as Michael.

Danielle explained that the school is teaching children about healthy living and Michael’s visit tied into that - teaching them about exercise.

As part of the healthy living theme the school also has a healthy tuck shop now, were the children can buy healthier snacks such as fruit and flapjacks.