Paralympic Cycling Champ Opens School’s New Bike Shed

A local Paralympic champion has added a sprinkling of gold-dust to the opening of a new bike shed at Afon Y Felin Primary School. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cyclist Simon Richardson, who won two gold medals and one silver at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, officially opened the school’s new facility which will make it easier for pupils to store their bikes and scooters. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Before cutting a ribbon to declare the bike shed open, Simon passed around his medals for the children to see, and they also had the chance to hold the torch that he used to light a cauldron in Cardiff ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Simon also told the pupils about the importance of wearing a cycle helmet – something he credits as saving his life when he was knocked from his bike by a drink-driver while training near Bridgend five years ago. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Afon Y Felin Primary School Head Teacher Nicola Williams, said: “We were honoured to welcome Simon to our school. The children were thrilled to see his medals and the Paralympic torch. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“He also spoke to them about how he has turned negatives into positives during his life, and never given up. This sort of message is inspirational for our pupils to hear, and we thoroughly enjoyed his visit. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are also extremely grateful to the Kenfig Trust, who have provided the funding for the bike shed, and we now look forward to the children putting this new facility to good use.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​