Several young people in Swindon were thrilled to bits when bronze-medal winning paralympian and wheelchair basketball star Ben Fox surprised them with a visit last week.

Swindon based Fox was part of the men's wheelchair basketball team who won a bronze medal in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo and since returning to the UK he's been visiting schools and disability groups, most recently visiting Swindon Down's Syndrome Group's DSActive football team.

"It's really important to do things like this," said Fox.

"The Paralympics is such a great platform to showcase the abilities of people with disabilities, but it's really important to understand championing and supporting disabilities is not just a thing for two weeks every couple of years, it should be included in society 24 hours every day

"I remember reading that one-in-two people are put off from taking part in sports because of how they’re judged. I remember going to London 2012 which was the catalyst for all of this. There was a massive change then with the inclusion which is growing and growing.

"I'm hoping to have really good conversations with local MPs and local councillors and talk to any companies that want to help.

Jo Messenger, a trustee with the Swindon Down Syndrome Group and the organiser of the DSActive football team alongside Swindon Town Football Club added what Ben Fox's visit, organised by the Swindon Town FC Community Foundation, meant to the players

“The Swindon DSActive team were thrilled to bits to have Ben attend their session.

"It was very exciting to see Ben and hear about his time in Tokyo at the Paralympics and most of all get to see the amazing Bronze Medal.

"He is a real inspiration to the team. Ben was a lovely surprise for us and showed us that when you work hard your dreams come true and nothing stops that determination, not even a disability. A very proud moment for us to meet him.”

Ben would go on to add that a big part of his goals going forward was to try to widen opportunities for disabled people in general, not just in sports.

"A small percentage of disabled people make the Paralympics so it's really important that I do all I can to push forward that inclusion as well as challenge those barriers on disabled people can’t do certain jobs."

"More can always be done, yes I have seen a change and more people are recognising that disabled people have other options than just growing up to be Paralympians."