Cirencester students lends hand at Paralympic games (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hartbury College student Alice Luce leant a hand at the Paralympic games

2:00pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in News By Ian Craig

A SPORT coaching student from Cirencester got to put her studying to the test in a unique way this summer – by helping out at the Paralymic games.

Hartbury College student Alice Luce worked as a team leader for a ‘tie-down’ team, making sure the athletes were properly secured into their specially adapted chairs before taking part in the throwing events.

The 17-year-old said it had been a once in a lifetime experience.

“It was absolutely amazing,” she said. “We were right in the middle of the arena when Hannah Cockroft won the 200m.

“All of the athletes were absolutely buzzing and they were smiling and hugging us.

“There aren’t any words to describe it.”

The teenager, who will be working with disabled people from the National Star College near Cheltenham as part of her college course this term, said she was pleased the games had shown what disabled people are capable of. “Everybody always thinks disabled people can’t do a lot of things but this has shown how much they can really do,” she said.

“It just goes to show you can achieve your dreams.”

Alice added she had caught the volunteering bug and was planning to put herself forward to help out at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“As I’ve already been a games maker hopefully ill be able to help out even more,” she said.