A WOKINGHAM school was excited to welcome top GB athlete Kylie to inspire and motivate pupils at their active fund raising event.
Kylie Grimes MBE, triple Paralympian and motivational speaker, visited St Sebastian’s Primary School and Nursery – her mission to put the children through their paces, inspire them with a love of exercise, and encourage them to follow their dreams.
She led the young people through a sponsored fitness circuit, helping them to raise money for new sports equipment for their school, and then shared her love of sport and wellbeing with them at a whole school assembly.
For one minute each the children performed spotty dogs, squat jumps, planks with shoulder touches, and star jumps.
Motivated by Kylie’s encouragement, they gave their best efforts as they worked their way through the exercise programme.
Sophie McKeown, the school’s administrator said: “It was wonderful to have Kylie visit the school.
“Everybody said how inspiring she was – hers is a story of such courage and determination.
“She told the youngsters that even when they think they can’t do something, there’s a way to make it happen.
“She said that if you put your mind to it, there’s nothing that you can’t do. ”
Kylie’s history is one of hope and determination.
Just three years after a life-changing spinal injury in 2006, she cycled 450 km from Vietnam to Cambodia to raise money to help get newly injured tetraplegics back into sport.
Then in 2008 she began playing wheelchair rugby, and after training as an elite athlete for thirteen years her dream of becoming a Paralympic Champion came true.
Having made her first appearance in the Paralympics in 2012, in 2020 she won gold in Tokyo, the first female in the history of the sport to do so.
“Sport has saved my life,” she said.
“My experiences have helped me to overcome many obstacles in my life, and sharing the lessons I’ve learned to help motivate and inspire others is a huge honour.
“It’s so important for those with life-changing injuries to know that life goes on, and so can they – you just have to go out there and get it.”
Kylie was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2022 for services to Wheelchair Rugby.
Head of school Ms Cohen, said: “We’re keen for the children at St Sebastian’s to engage with as many different experiences as possible and delighted with how much the children enjoyed getting active during Kylie’s visit.”
Deputy head of St Sebastians Mrs Barnes, agreed: “” The children really enjoyed raising money by doing the sponsored circuits, and Kylie really put us through our paces. “However, what was most inspiring (and will stick in the children’s minds), was when she spoke in the assembly about her journey to winning medals at two Paralympic Games – she is a true inspiration of what you can achieve if you are determined enough and never give up on your dreams.”
For information, visit: st-sebastians.wokingham.sch.uk, and kyliegrimes.com
