Official Opening of Fakenham Sport and Fitness Centre

Paralympic champion Danny Crates
with Fakenham High School children,
at the official opening of Fakenham
Sport and Fitness Centre

Paralympic 800m (T46 class) champion Danny Crates officially opened the new £2.4 million Fakenham Sport and Fitness Centre on 12 November, and, with the help of Year 7 youngsters from Fakenham High School, showed how important the facility is to the local community.

After the official opening, Danny, who holds the world record in the 800m T46 arm amputee class and took gold in the event at Athens this year, led the schoolchildren in a fitness session in the sports hall. The state-of-the-art centre is of particular importance to Fakenham High School, whose pupils use it regularly for physical education.

The sports centre was developed by North Norfolk District Council and Norfolk County Council in partnership with Fakenham Town Council and the community, including Fakenham High School, with the help of £1.5 million from the Sport England Lottery Fund. Sport England chose the project to trial its 'optimum sports hall' model - a special design shared by only three such facilities in the country, but which may serve as a template for others around Britain. Local people also raised money towards the project.

Fakenham Sport and Fitness Centre is designed to help make sport accessible to everyone, and has facilities for a variety of sports, a fitness suite and an aerobics room. It is managed for NNDC by DC Leisure, and has actually been in use by the community and the High School since September.

NNDC's Head of Community Services, Steve Baker, said: "Danny Crates is an inspirational character - a great role model for anyone, of any age, ability or level of experience, who strives for sporting excellence. This new centre will help our sportsmen and women of the future to realise their potential, but will also give local people the chance to take part in sporting activities they might never have been able to enjoy before."

Danny Crates Profile

Recently crowned the 2004 Paralympic 800m T46 Champion Danny Crates has an amazing story to tell. In his 31 years he has had more experiences than most people manage in a lifetime. Facing a promising rugby career, playing at both regional and county level, Danny suffered an horrific accident in 1994 whilst travelling and working in Australia, losing his right arm.

In the 1998 World Championships, Danny made his international debut, by reaching the 400m final and winning a silver medal in the 4 x 400m relay event in a new European record time. Danny's potential was also recognised in the Paralympic Games Sydney 2000, where he was narrowly beaten, into the bronze medal position in the 400m.

Since Sydney, Danny's desire to win has resulted in him capturing the European 400m title and become the World Indoor and Eurpean 800m T46 Arm Amputee Champion.

2002 saw Danny change disciplines and he is now racing in the 800m - a great move that has resulted in him capturing both the 2003 World Indoor 800m title and European 800m titles and win those much longed for gold medals. In 2004 Danny has taken the T46 800m racing discipline to new heights when in June he smashed the World 800m record in true style and is the reigning world record holder.Danny has fulfilled his burning ambition to achieve the Gold medal in Athens 2004 - a destiny that he felt was his, and is now looking forward to competing in Bejing 2008. He continues his training alongside Olympic sprinter, Donna Fraser and Jo Fenn under coach Ayo Falola.

Simply put, Danny is one of life's natural characters and will speak openly and from the heart. He shares his experiences readily with others, from young school children to seasoned corporate executives.

For full CV and availability call Helenon 01245 328303
Or email helen@CreatingExcellence.co.uk

ENDS