Upon arriving at Naidex, we noticed a buzz around the place. Walking past groups of people we overheard snapshots of conversation words likecelebrityâ€,athletic†andmuscles†were audible on the air. We were pleased that word of our arrival had got out.Imagine our displeasure when we discovered that these groups of excited people were not talking about us, and were instead talking about the clutch of celebrities who were in attendance at the event. After nursing our hurt pride over a coffee, we decided to do a bit of celebrity spotting for ourselves First on the list was Ade Adepitan, the Nigerian born Olympic medallist who grew up in Newham, London. The highlights of Ades wheelchair basketball career include a bronze medal finish at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens and a gold at the World Cup, held in Manchester the following year.Ade received an MBE in 2005 and has been made an Honorary Doctor by Loughborough University, an institution of learning famed for its commitment to sport and athletic development. His inimitable personality has led to Ade forging a successful career as a television presenter, while also doing valuable work for a number of charities.Next were the stars of Team GBs mens wheelchair rugby team from London 2012; Alan Ash and David Anthony.An experienced Olympian, Alan Ash turned out for Team GB at the Atlanta, Sydney, Athens and Beijing games, before pulling the jersey on once again for London 2012. The former Royal Marine and Wolves and Arsenal footballer was involved in a road traffic collision aged only 17, but refused to let his injuries dissuade him from a life in sport.He turned 40 in January of this year and lives in the West Midlands. Aged 23, David Anthony was one of Team GBs young stars in the wheelchair rugby competition. His Mohican-style haircut and fearsome reputation on the court soon made him a fan favourite amongst spectators of all nationalities.While Team GB finished without a medal in the mens rugby, both players cemented their reputations as Paralympic legends over the course of the games.Two weeks shy of her 22nd birthday, Louise Hunt looks set to be one of the stars of the 2016 Paralympic games. The Swindon-born tennis prospect suffers from Spina Bifida, limiting the movement of her lower limbs and confining her to a wheelchair.Undeterred, Louise soon began to show promise in a wide range of fields, including tennis, music and art. As proficient in front of a microphone as on a tennis court, Louise is also a successful public speaker, offering encouragement and inspiration to young people with conditions similar to her own.Oh, and we also spotted Top Gears famously camera-shy racing driver, The Stig perusing the stand Our autograph book is now complete.
By Help Mobility Team