STUDENTS from two Leatherhead schools were treated to a talk and sports demonstration from one of Team GB's Paralympic athletes.
Steve Brown, captain of the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Team, visited Therfield School as part of his work for the Youth Sports Trust, a charity "devoted to changing young people's lives through sport".
Mr Brown began his visit with an introduction to seated volleyball for several Year 12 and 13 pupils, before being joined by 20 Year 6 students from Trinity School.
Peter Stock, a Year 13 pupil at Therfield, said: "I've learnt not to take anything for granted. This was the main message running through Steve's story which started with him asking everyone to clap every time he bounced a tennis ball.
"Of course, the eager audience carried on clapping after he had stopped bouncing because they expected him to carry on. It was a great way to break the ice and convey a much deeper message."
Mr Brown then described the story of how he became a professional disabled athlete to eight classes, a talk which included an account of what motivated him to take up sport.
He then spent time answering questions from students on his career and his motivations, before discussing his charity work with the Youth Sports Trust.
Caroline Smith, a teacher at Trinity School in Leatherhead, said: "The children really enjoyed themselves and it was good to see them participating so enthusiastically.
"They particularly enjoyed working with boys from another school, and they were patient and cheerful and great role models for our youngsters.
"It was amazing too to see Steve, working so cheerfully and encouraging them all to enjoy themselves and join in."
She added: "On the walk back the children were chatting about how hard it was to reach the ball, and some of them had aching arms from working so hard in the seated position.
"There's nothing like having a go to see how hard things can be for some people. It was a great experience."
Speaking after the visit, which took place on January 14, Miss Hobson, a PE teacher at Therfield, said: "The children were engrossed in his speech and you could see them being inspired by his story. The Year 12 students said it was a great honour to work with someone so inspirational."
