Gold medallist sprinter inspires Heacham pupils

A British Army veteran and gold medallist sprinter inspired young athletes at a West Norfolk school when he put them through their sporting paces.

Team UK member Richard Potter, who received a gold medal at last year’s Invictus Games in Germany, met pupils from Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 at Heacham Junior School, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

The former Army captain from Old Catton, who had a leg amputated after an injury, led the children through a series of fitness circuits, which featured ‘spotty dogs’, ‘plank shoulder taps’, squat jumps and star jumps.

He then held a whole-school assembly, where he shared his experiences as an athlete, before taking questions from his young audience.

“The visit allowed the opportunity for the children to see sport from another view, and the children to feel included,” said Heacham Junior PE Lead James Agate, who arranged the event with the support of School Secretary Denise Bridge.

“It fitted with our school ethos of diversity and inclusivity,” he added. “It’s incredibly important to help children understand sport from another perspective.”

Founded by the Duke of Sussex in 2014, the Invictus Games is an international, multi-sport competition for Armed Forces personnel and veterans who have been wounded or injured, and takes its name from the Latin word meaning ‘undefeated’.

Mr Potter was among 59 veterans and serving personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force chosen to represent Team UK in the 2023 event at Dusseldorf, where he was awarded Gold.