Mr Heafield, one of our P.E. staff, arranged for Danny Crates, the 2004 Athens Paralympic 800m T46 champion, to visit FitzWimarc school on 27 May 2005 to conduct an assembly for the whole of the lower school. The three year groups packed into the sports hall to hear the inspiring and challenging story which he told.

Danny told how he had faced a promising rugby career, playing at regional and county level, but, in 1994, had been involved in a terrible car accident when he was travelling in Australia, as a result of which he had lost his right arm. With great resolve, Danny determined that he would not give up, but resumed his rugby training and, amazingly, resumed playing club rugby with able-bodied players and with astounding success. His achievements became the subject of TV interest.

Eventually, he turned his attention to athletics and was soon competing with the best in the world in the T46 (arm amputee class) 400 metres. In the 1998 World Championships he won silver medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay in a new European record time and then, in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games won bronze medal in the 400 metres.

However, Danny was not satisfied with that. He wanted gold. Changing to the 800 metres he achieved a string of successes:

• 2003 World Indoor Championships 800 metres - Gold
• 2003 European Champion 800 metres- Gold
• 2004 World Record Holder 800 metres- Gold
• 2004 Athens Paralympic Games 800 metres - Gold

At 31 years of age, Danny inspired and motivated his audience. In the face of such devastating difficulties he was not deterred from achieving his ambitions. Soon after his accident, he returned to Australia to study Scuba diving, qualified as an instructor working for a while in the Great Barrier Reef area. On his return to England he secured a position at the Great Yarmouth Sea Life Centre, swimming with 20 sharks, four times a day.

Danny told his story in a modest but totally absorbing way. He did not try to avoid the failures and disappointments, which, in themselves, were instrumental in strengthening his resolve to succeed.

Thanks Danny for your words of inspiration and challenge, readily taken in by an audience of over 750 pupils and staff.