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Experience of a lifetime at Paralympics
Being part of the Paralympic Games was an emotional rollercoaster, according to Lancaster’s sitting volleyball star.
Former Central Lancaster High School pupil Vicky Widdup was part of the women’s team at the games, that saw a new-found interest in disability sport.
She said: “In one word, it was amazing. The crowds coming to watch us were massive and really supported us which just made the games.
“The experience of playing on a court with your name on the back of your shirt was one I could never have imagined. “Walking on the court for the first time was just like, wow!”
The euphoria carried on into Monday’s parade around London as the capital paid tribute to the stars that have wowed a nation for the last few weeks.
“The parade was something else,” said the 25-year-old who is now based in London.
“It was emotional and a few people including myself, were really tearful.
“Every time you turned a corner there were hundreds and hundreds of people.”
The girls lost all of their five of their matches and finished eighth but as the most inexperienced team in the competition, Vicky, who nearly had to have her left leg amputated after a motorbike accident aged 18, believes the team can be pleased with their performance.
“We’ve only been training together for two or three years and could have beaten a couple of the teams,” she said.
“We were disappointed not to win one but really pleased with our performance.
“But we wanted to showcase sitting volleyball and get people interested in our sport and we did that.”
Vicky’s team mate, Martine Wright, was one of the stars of the games having lost both her legs in the 7/7 bombings.
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Weather for Morecambe
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 13 C
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 12 C
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