Campaign News
Blind sportsman inspires Pontllanfraith pupils
6:10pm Friday 3rd February 2012
THE world's fastest blind man visited Pontllanfraith Primary School yesterday in a trip designed to inspire youngsters to achieve their goals.
Steve Cunningham lost his sight at the age of 12 to a degenerative eye disease.
But Mr Cunningham, now 45, from Warwickshire, never let his blindness hold him back, becoming a record breaker in a number of blind sports.
He was a founding member and captain of the England Blind Football team, held the 100m world junior blind sprint title, and a member of the UK athletics and England Blind Cricket teams.
In 1999 he got behind the wheel to break the world blind land speed record, and set new onshore and offshore powerboat records in 2000.
In 2004 he took to the air, flying around the UK to become the world's first blind pilot.
Mr Cunningham now spends his time visiting schools to inspire young people to break their own barriers, and his Pontllanfraith visit was the first time he has visited a school in Wales.
He spent the day talking to children about their goals, motivation, and perseverance as part of the children's personal and social education.
Deputy head teacher Angela Taylor said: "Steve is the embodiment of these characteristics, and his day with us is a fabulous opportunity both to reinforce this message and also show our pupils that they really can achieve anything."
Mr Cunningham has now retired from competition.