Year six pupils have a wheelie good time at Stoke Mandeville stadium

19 March 2012

Year six pupils from primary schools around the Wycombe district enjoyed a Paralympic Games experience at Stoke Mandeville stadium on Thursday 15 March, thanks to Wycombe District Council and WheelPower, a national charity for British Wheelchair Sport based at Stoke Mandeville.

60 pupils from ten primary schools took part in an experience, funded by Wycombe District Council's sports development team, which aimed to inspire them about the Paralympic Games and give them with an insight into the obstacles that Paralympic athletes overcome in order to succeed in their sport. It was also in recognition of the work that their schools have done around the Olympic and Paralympic values as part of the Get Set network.

As well as a tour around Stoke Mandeville stadium and a talk on the history and heritage of the Paralympic Games, the children took part in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby and heard from Paralympic power lifter Chris Rattenbury, who works with WheelPower.

Year six pupil Chloe, from Stokenchurch Primary School, said about her day: "I enjoyed meeting Chris because I got to know what it is like to be an athlete and what life is like in a wheelchair."

Frances Lay, a teacher at Great Kingshill School, added: "It was a fantastic day. There were brilliant opportunities for the children to experience the sports for themselves, with expert sports people supporting them and answering any questions they had. It really raised the awareness of the Paralympics and disability in sport, which the children did not have much experience of."

A second experience day, which will also be funded by Wycombe District Council's sports development team, is planned for later this month.

Visit our sports page to find out more.