Paul’s donation is on the right track

A Paralympian returned to his old school to share his memories of his sporting triumphs with current pupils.
Former Paralympian Paul Cartwright donating his tracksuit from the 1984 Games to Hollybank Trust. Pictured with Pam King, Hazel Haywood, Alisa Moore, Daisy Booth and Alex Clement. (D534A305)Former Paralympian Paul Cartwright donating his tracksuit from the 1984 Games to Hollybank Trust. Pictured with Pam King, Hazel Haywood, Alisa Moore, Daisy Booth and Alex Clement. (D534A305)
Former Paralympian Paul Cartwright donating his tracksuit from the 1984 Games to Hollybank Trust. Pictured with Pam King, Hazel Haywood, Alisa Moore, Daisy Booth and Alex Clement. (D534A305)

Paul Cartwright went to the Hollybank Trust to donate the tracksuit he wore in the 1984 edition of the games.

Mr Cartwright, of Liversedge, went to Hollybank School as a child before winning numerous athletics medals and breaking many British running records.

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He also donated a signed photograph of himself winning a gold medal at the Stoke Mandeville International Games in 1985, and hopes these items will inspire current pupils.

He said: “I was 20 when this photograph was taken at Stoke Mandeville and that was just after winning the 100m race, so I was absolutely ecstatic.

“I was the first Briton to win an international gold medal in a wheelchair event and I was very proud to represent my country in sport. It’s a great thing to achieve and I had to work very hard to get there.”Mr Cartwright, who is the Hollybank Trust Ambassador, also won medals for fishing, pentathlon and power-lifting. He said: “Hollybank was a big part of shaping me into the person I am today and I am very grateful for that. It was a very happy time of my life.

“The children who attend today have more serious conditions that we did in the 1970s but I hope it will inspire them in their everyday lives.”

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The Trust, based in Far Common Road, Mirfield, provides a home and educates people with complex disabilities.

Chief executive Pam King said: “We are extremely proud of Paul’s achievements over the years and are delighted that he is part of the Hollybank community once again.”