TWO lucky Swindon College students have been selected to be part of a national programme run by the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, which includes being mentored by Olympian Craig Figes.

Together 15-year-olds Owen Mathews and Kian Jones-Hughes are working with Craig, the men’s water polo captain in the 2012 London Olympic games, to create an idea for a community project that they feel will benefit Swindon.

Craig will be helping them along the way plan, create and complete their project, as well as inspiring the teenagers to raise their aspirations to their full potential.

So far, the students have had three out of eight mentoring sessions with the Olympian from Bristol to find a subject close to their hearts or an issue they are passionate about.

They will also have the opportunity to meet other young people and their athlete mentors, as well as test their skills in a Dragon’s Den style pitch to win funding.

“They have come up with some fantastic ideas,” said Craig, who played water polo more than 400 times over 20 years.

“Some of the things they thought were really close to their hearts was working with homeless or young people who were really struggling.”

Kian added: “We want to do something for homeless people like a charity event, because in Swindon some of them live on top of the parking lot and there is a Jamaican guy living there and he has literally got nothing.

“We want to raise awareness that some people have nothing.”

The trio are still in their early stages of planning but are looking into organising a talent show or a music gig.

The Dame Kelly Holmes Trust works with world class athletes who pass on their skills to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people or youngsters lacking confidence.

Craig said: “This is hopefully fantastic for the students’ confidence and their belief in themselves and their ability to take things step by step and we hope they can then transfer those skills into other areas of their life."

Speaking about his time competing in the 2012 Olympics, he added: “It is the most amazing thing to perform what you love doing in front of a home crowd, it is the biggest buzz you can possibly have.”