Double Paralympic Games Gold Medallist, Laura Sugar MBE, visited us on January 21st!

We were thrilled to welcome Laura into school, through The Mintridge Foundation charity, to speak to our Senior Sports Scholars, as part of their enrichment and development programme.

Scholars and sports-loving Senior and Sixth Form students came together in the Old Palace Lecture Theatre to hear Laura's inspirational story.

Laura was born with Talipes (clubfoot) in 1991. She had a number of procedures and operations throughout her childhood to help correct her foot. Laura is able to walk and run but with no movement in her ankle, which makes her eligible for the Paralympics.

Laura’s parents were told by professionals that she would lead a normal life - as long as she did not do any sport. However, Laura was passionate about sport and being active, she gave everything a go, and her foot adapted well. Laura’s focus was hockey throughout her latter school years. She represented Cambridgeshire and later Wales in the sport, until she watched the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and saw some athletes with the same condition as her competing. 

Laura did some research and realised that she too would be able to compete. She tried both cycling and athletics, enjoying success as a 100m and 200m sprinter in the T44 classification, representing Great Britain. Following this, Laura was approached to transition into para-canoeing, a move that has since seen her become a two-time Paralympic champion. She won Gold medals in the Women’s KL3 200m event at both the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Games.

Ms Michelle Bird, Head of Athletic Development, Athletics, and Cross Country, leads our Sports Scholars Programme, working closely with each student to mentor and nurture them on their sporting journeys.

Ms Bird said: "Laura's journey powerfully demonstrated to our Scholars that setbacks do not define potential, and that resilience, belief, and the right support can shape success. Students were also thrilled to hold Laura’s medals, feeling their weight and seeing first-hand that becoming a champion is truly achievable. Thank you, Laura, for such an inspiring visit."

The Mintridge Foundation harnesses the unique platform of sporting role models.  Their team of Ambassadors  - Olympians, Paralympians, and other professional sports stars - deliver holistic sports provision in schools, clubs, and colleges across the UK for young people of all abilities.

Laura also visited King's Ely Acremont Pre-Prep to speak to children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 about the importance of being active, pursuing their dreams, and never giving up!