Paralympic gold medallist visits Melksham school (From This Is Wiltshire)

Paralympic gold medallist visits Melksham school

8:20am Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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Paralympic gold medal winning swimmer Graham Edmunds was guest of honour at George Ward School in Melksham where he chatted with Year 11 pupils.

Edmunds, from Swansea, was involved in a motorcycle accident that destroyed his ankles 10 years ago, and after having to learn to walk again he carried on with his swimming.

He went on to represent Britain in the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, as well as the 2008 Beijing Games, winning a gold medal at both in relay events.

He spoke to the Melksham pupils on March 10 at the school’s Learning Goals Day.

Assistant headteacher Jo Lawrence said: “He gave a fantastic talk to our Year 11s, sharing his journey to where he is now, the students and staff found his story very inspiring.

“He was very engaging and stayed afterwards to talk to the students in their workshops.”

Edmunds achieved a spontaneous round of applause when he showed the gold medal winning race in Beijing to all the students.

The Year 11 students were described as being mesmerised by his talk and many talked afterwards about his achievements.