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40   swindonlink.com • April 2012
                                                Inspired by London 2012 at Link Centre

                                      Paralympic  sports,  swimming,  wheelchair
                                      basketball and rugby, trampoline and fencing
                                      were just some of the sports on offer at the
                                      annual Access Activity Day held at the Link
                                      Centre at the end of February.
                                        All special schools and children with visual or
                                      physical impairments from mainstream schools
                                      across the town were invited to the free event
                                      which was designed to get youngsters of all
             Looking for fun,         abilities more active.
                                        Organised  by  Swindon  Council’s  Leisure
                 friendship           Services and Advisory Teachers and funded by
                and fitness?          Aiming High, this year for the first time the Link
                                      Centre pool was put to use with assistance from
            ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS        the Amateur Swimming Association.
             RUNNING COURSES                                         Ben to carry
              In just 10 weeks we will                                the flame
             help you run non-stop for                            Great  Britain  under  23
             30 minutes (approx. 5km)                             wheelchair  basketball
                                                                  player  Ben  Fox  from
                INFORMATION AND                                   Westlea  was  the  VIP
             REGISTRATION EVENING         Join the party in       guest at the access day
              Tuesday 1st May, 7.30pm      West Swindon!          to encourage and inspire
                                                                  the children.
                at Unit 8, Star West,                   Freshbrook Community Centre  He has been chosen to
             Westmead Drive, SN5 7SW    Tuesday 9.30am–10.15am    carry the Olympic flame
                                                                  in  June  and  hopes  to
            For more information call   Oliver Tomkins Infant School  compete  for  a  place  to
              Clare on 07793 573487      Wednesday 6.15pm–7pm     represent Britain at the
            Email: [email protected]    £5 per class    2016 Paralympics.
                www.slinnallstars.co.uk
            Affiliated to England Athletics  Call Yvonne: 07944 456542
              Qualified Running Coaches  e: [email protected]    Running club set up by survivor
                                                                   to raise funds for Encephalitis Society

                                                                  Having  survived  viral  encephalitis  during  his  time  at  university,
                                                                  performance  coach  and  personal  trainer  Ollie  Burt  from  Purton  is
                                                                  now keen to give something back to the Encephalitis Society which
                                                                  supported him and his family during his illness and convalescence,
                                                                  by setting up a running club to raise funds.
                                                                   Speaking about the seriousness of  a lot of inspiration.”
                                                                  encephalitis Ollie said: “I was in a   Ollie works at Absolutely Fit at
                                                                  coma for a month. My heart stopped  Kembury Park, where The Encepha-
                                                                  and I suffered a brain haemorrhage,  litis Running Society is based.
                                                                  and doctors said I had only a 15 per   “I’ve  planned  running  routes
                                                                  cent chance of survival.”  around the gym, so clients can come
                                                                   However  Ollie  made  a  full  re-  in, use the equipment in the studio,
                                                                  covery and after taking six months  and learn how to run properly by
                                                                  off from his studies he returned to  engaging their core.
                                                                  university, where he achieved a 2:1   “As  a  club  we’ll  enter  lots  of
                                                                  degree in sports science.  different  running  events  around
            MONDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm   St Johns Church, Thames Avenue, Haydon Wick,Swindon SN25 1QQ     “I  was  extremely  lucky,”  said  the  country,  with  all  profits  and
            Consultant: Sharon 07841 119082                       Ollie. “Lots of people who contract  proceeds  going  towards  the  En-
            MONDAYS 7.30pm  Brimble Hill School, Tapole Lane, Redhouse, Swindon SN25 2NB     encephalitis  suffer  brain  dam-  cephalitis Society.”
            Consultant: Heather 07816 860840                      age  which  means  they  no  longer   So  if  you’re  into  running,  join
            TUESDAYS 6.30pm  Abbey Meads Community School, Hugo Drive, Abbey Meads, Swindon, SN25 4GY    recognise  their  family,  or  they  Ollie and have access to top notch
            Consultant: Paula 07733 082579                        become very angry, and ultimately  training  advice  and  equipment,
                                                                  homeless.                  contact:  ollie.burt@absolutelyfit.
            WEDNESDAYS 5.30pm & 7.30pm  St Francis School, Taw Hill. Consultant: Heather 07816 860840  “At first I was so weak I couldn’t  co.uk
            WEDNESDAYS 7pm Western Community Centre, Somerset Road, Rodbourne SN2 1NF    lift a tin of beans,
            Consultant: Judith 07846 510082                       but  I’m  very
            THURSDAYS 7.00pm Freshbrook Community Centre, Worsley Road, Freshbrook, Swindon  SN5 8LY    driven  and  just
            Consultant: Jenny 07939 410805                        being told that I
            THURSDAYS 9.30am, 11.30am, 5.30pm & 7.30pm   St Johns Church, Thames Avenue,   wouldn’t be able
            Haydon Wick  SN25 1QQ.   Consultant: Sharon 07841 119082  to lead a normal
                                                                  life again gave me
            FRIDAYS 9.30am Community Room, St Francis School, Taw Hill. Consultant: Heather 07816860840
            SATURDAYS 9.30am  Freshbrook Community Centre, Worsley Road, Freshbrook, Swindon  SN5 8LY    Ollie  and  his  fian-
            Consultant: Lou 07784 098022                          cee  Mary  Cheston
                                                                  receiving a Bombay
                                                                  Lounge curry night
                                                                  charity cheque from
                                                                  Wasim Robani



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