Paralympic Champion Tim Prendergast at Gumley House School

Tim Prendergast was delighted to launch the Be the Best you can Be! Programme as the Special Speaker at Gumley House School on 11^th January 2012. One of New Zealand's most outstanding Paralympians, Tim is a middle distance runner who has represented NZ at the last three Paralympic Games.

At the age of eight Tim began losing his central vision and within several years was legally blind. Despite his rapidly deteriorating sight and troubles coming to terms with his impairment, Tim still had a passion for sport and found a real enjoyment in running. With only 5% normal vision now, he still regularly competes in both open and international Paralympic events. In 2004 at the Athens Paralympic Games, Tim produced an outstanding run to claim gold in the 800 metres T13 class.

Loredana Roberts, Director of Specialisms (Languages, Business & Enterprise) said: "Tim was absolutely brilliant, engaging with his talk and great with the Q&A's too as well as completing so many autographs! Our students were really responsive to him and the Head of PE this morning told me that the group of year 8 students that was competing in the Netball tournament in the afternoon before the match shouted "this is for Tim" so he has lots of support form Gumley!!"

21^st Century Legacy is delighted that the Gumley House Be the Best you can Be! Programme has started so successfully.