Homegrown Paralympic gold medalist Heather Frederiksen was on hand at Leigh Games opening ceremony.
She said: “It’s great to be here, most importantly because it’s in Leigh. Seeing Leigh CE Infants brings back great memories as I went there and remember my school sports days.
“This was the age I got my ambition to start competing.”
Heather, who lives in Lowton, has suffered a series of setbacks recently with ill health.
She was undertaking her driving instructor training when she was struck down with pneumonia earlier this year and was in intensive care for four days. Her parents were told the next 48 hours would be critical, but her fighting spirit shone through and she battled back to fitness.
Heather, who brought her Paralympic gold medal to show pupils, is still hoping she will be able to compete in Rio.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here