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Real Lives: Paralympian Ian talks to pupils about why he is an ambassador for Wythenshawe
Published:  02 July, 2009

Paralympian Ian Jones will be talking to pupils of all ages about his road to the 2012 Olympics and why he is proud to be an ambassador for Wythenshawe, as part of the Real Lives campaign - which tells people positive things about Wythenshawe.  Ian will be talking to pupils from Newall Green High School and St Anthony's Roman Catholic Primary School in separate workshops in June.

He will be taking questions from the pupils about competing in the Beijing Paralympic Games, the BT Paralympic World Cup as well as sharing his experiences of growing up and living in Wythenshawe and why he is proud to be an ambassador.

Ian Jones has just taken a silver medal in the 400metres and a bronze in the 100metres sprints breaking the European record and achieving a personal best at the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester. He previously won two bronze medals at the Paralympics in Beijing.

The workshops, where he will talk to more than 200 pupils, are the latest development in the image campaign - which has seen several pupils and teachers come on board as ambassadors.

John Gregory, assistant head teacher at Newall Green High School and John Gretton head teacher at St Anthony's Roman Catholic School have become ambassadors for Wythenshawe and will be passing on myth busting facts about the area to pupils.

John Gregory said: "I grew up here and I'm very proud to be teaching here. Wythenshawe has a lot going for it and I think we need to shout about the good things a bit more."

The workshops, which will take place in the schools will include footage of Ian's races in the Paralympic World cup and why it is important to focus and discipline yourself in order to reach your goals.

Ian said: "People often have set ideas about what Wythenshawe is like and what people here can achieve. I am proud to call Wythenshawe my home and I think winning medals shows that you can go for gold."

Ian is training at The Forum in Wythenshawe for the 2012 Olympics - which involves a rigorous schedule - as well receiving his specialist coaching at Sportcity in Eastlands.

Wythenshawe: Real Lives image campaign launched last autumn and it aims to challenge outdated and negative perceptions of Wythenshawe through activities and first-person accounts from residents, investors and employees of the district in Manchester.

The campaign is being funded through a partnership made up of Manchester City Council, Wythenshawe Forum Trust, Parkway Green and Willow Park Housing Trusts, St Modwen and Marketing Manchester.

All four Wythenshawe High Schools are undergoing major investment with Newall Green High School and St Paul's RC High being the early beneficiaries of the Government's ambitious Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme to ensure that all secondary pupils in England have the opportunity to learn in 21st Century facilities.




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