Bolton: Paralympian Tony Griffin visits old school

Tony Griffin, 62, is one of Britain's most celebrated medal winning Paralympians, having won a total of 38 medals in the 1970s and 1980s.

Tony was born with cerebral palsy, but that didn’t stop him in his career.

After leaving Birtenshaw School he decided to see how it had changed.

Speaking to The Bolton News he said: “I spoke to kids with cerebral palsy and different types of disabilities.

“I am pretty impressed with what they have achieved so far."

• ALSO READ: 'Golden Griffin' Tony presented with British Empire Medal

Tony Griffin with his torch and gold medal (Image: Public)

He still holds a world record over 25 years after setting it.

All of these achievements have made him a huge role model in disability sports.

Tony added: “I don’t see any reason why they can’t do something.

“A lot of people think they can’t, but they can.

“I am an example of that to them.

“I loved the kids’ reaction on their faces and the teachers were quite excited to see me as well.

“They all had a surprised look in their eyes and were really excited.”

Tony went to his first Paralympics in the south of France aged just 16 and travelled again with the British team to Holland in 1980 - four years before his most successful and memorable event - the New York 1984 Paralympic Games.

The children were delighted to meet Tony (Image: Public)

The school have since named their classes after exceptional individuals with difficulties who have achieved something extraordinary in their lives, with Griffin Class being named after Tony.

Griffin Class teacher Emma Peachman said: “Griffin class wanted to learn more about their chosen individual and so contacted Tony and invited him into school to see how the school had changed, and to tell them all about his amazing life and his phenomenal achievements.”

The children welcomed Tony to their classroom, and he spent over an hour answering their questions and telling them all about his adventures around the world and the famous people he met.

The children had prepared their own questions and were thrilled to have their picture taken with him, holding the actual Olympic torch that he carried as part of the 2012 Olympic celebrations.

It was such a memorable day for Tony and the school (Image: Public)

At the end of the visit, the children performed a short play they had been practising all about Tony’s life and that they performed in front of parents and staff at the Birtenshaw Winter celebrations.

Emma added: “He was very impressed.

“All in all, a fantastic time was had by everyone involved, and Tony left us a pair of sweatbands that he had actually worn when he competed in the 1984 games in America.”

Tony has also visited schools across the country to give talks, and presentations about his life and career.

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