A PARALYMPIC gold medalist has inspired students near Chard to get involved in sports, regardless of challenges faced.

Four-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time silver medalist Debbie Criddle, who is from Trull near Taunton, visited Combe St Nicholas School on Thursday last week.

Christine Maxwell, the head teacher at Combe St Nicholas School, said: “It was great. She spoke to the children and she had a look around the school. She spoke in two assemblies, one for Key Stage 1 pupils and one for Key Stage 2.

“She spoke about disability and how she has overcome the problems that it presented. She inspired children with regards to sports in general.

“It was part of the Get Set linked to the London Olympics in 2012. Part of that was they gave us an opportunity to have someone come to the school.”

Para-dressage star Debbie Criddle picked up one gold and two silver medals at the London Paralympic Games in 2012 on her mount LJT Akilles, taking her total medal tally to four golds and two silvers from the three Olympics in which she has competed.

A post box in Trull was painted gold to honour her gold medal in the equestrian team championship.

Mrs Criddle lost the use of her arm and leg in a motorbike accident in 1985, and had her arm amputated in 2003.

At the end of 2012, Mrs Criddle was also honoured with an MBE.

Get Set is the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association’s youth engagement programme.

It was quite a busy week for the school, which saw the pupils celebrate the 150th birthday of Alice in Wonderland the day after.

Mrs Maxwell added: “The children had been working all term on work related to Alice in Wonderland because it was the 150th anniversary of the publication of the book.

“This was the culmination of their work and they invited parents to join them.

“Everyone who entered the woods had to go through a special tunnel.”

On Friday, the school also had a Mad Hatter’s tea party, a themed race and croquet with flamingoes, as well as a number of other activities.

The weekend also saw Combe St Nicholas School hold its summer fair on the Saturday.

“It was a big success,” Mrs Maxwell said.

“There were some showers but that did not dampen spirits. We raised nearly £2,000 and lots of outside businesses came and supported us.”

For more information, visit slp5.somerset.org.uk/webs/combestnicholasprimary.