An inspirational paralympian revisited a Wolverhampton school to reward children who had taken part in a unique project.

Snowboarder Anna Turney was at SS Mary and John's Catholic Primary Academy in Caledonia Road, to hand out medals to pupils that had taken part in the charity 21st Century Legacy's "Be the Best you can Be!" programme.

The project is aimed at inspiring young people to believe in themselves to achieve their dreams.

In return, the children created a 'good luck' card and presented it to Anna to wish her well in her sporting career.

Children at the school took part in various programmes to help them learn new skills that will help them along the road to achieving their goals.

Anna had ambitions to compete as a snowboarder, at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but a snowboarding accident in 2006 resulted in her shattering her spine and left her a paraplegic.

But within a year, she was back on the slopes and eventually became a member of the Great Britain disabled skiing team, finishing 6th in the 2010 Winter Paralympics.

She now aims to improve on that at the next Winter Paralympics in 2014.

Anna visited the school last year to help launch the "Be the Best you can Be!" programme as well as share her story about how she overcame her injury to fulfil her dreams.

Councillor Phil Page, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Learning, said: "I am delighted that Anna once again took the time out to visit the school.

"She is an inspiration to everyone and an example to the children that they really can be the best they want to be if they work hard and believe in themselves, no matter what obstacles are put in their way.

"This has been an excellent initiative that we hope will inspire this generation of young people to go on to achieve their ambitions."

Joanne Hanslip, Principal at SS. Mary and John's Catholic Primary Academy, said: "Children are now confident in articulating what they want to achieve, recognising how they will achieve their goal and knowing who can help them to make their dreams a reality.

"Everyone at SS. Mary and John's Catholic Primary Academy is determined to keep the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games alive through the spirit of this project, helping to inspire not only this generation but of future generations to come."

  • released: Tuesday 23 July, 2013