‘And now to our reporter in Beijing’: Staffordshire pupil wins trip to 2008 Paralympic Games

St Peter’s Primary was one of the first to register their details on the London 2012 Paralympic Handover website: all schools which registered by 25 June were entered into a draw to win the trip to Beijing. As the winner had to be aged at least 10 years in September, Headteacher Adrian Dipple held a draw to select one child from the pupils in Year 5.

As part of the school’s prize, a team from London 2012 will visit St Peter’s Primary on 17 July to help the whole school plan their Paralympic Handover celebrations.

Mr Dipple said: 'We are thrilled that our school won the prize and delighted that Reece has been given this opportunity. We are excited about the countdown to the London 2012 Games, and the Paralympic Handover event will give our preparations a fantastic start. We are looking forward to working with the 2012 team to decide how our school will celebrate the Paralympic Handover on 17 September, and we are expecting Reece to come back with fantastic tales of his adventure in Beijing.'

Reece, who will be accompanied by his father, Mark Berrisford, will assume the role of reporter during his trip to Beijing. He will take photos and write blogs for the London 2012 website to share his experience with his fellow pupils and other young people across the UK. Reece Berrisford said: 'It's a fantastic opportunity, not many children get the chance to visit China and attend the Paralympic Games. I am very excited about the trip and am looking forward to my new job as a reporter!'

Colin Grannell, Executive Vice President, Partnership Marketing at Visa Europe, said: 'Visa has been a world-wide sponsor of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games for more than 20 years and we’re delighted to have been able to provide this prize and enable Reece to experience the Paralympic Games first hand. We’re sure he’ll have a great time and look forward to reading his updates.'

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has invited schools, colleges and other learning institutions across the UK to lead the celebrations around the Paralympic Handover on 17 September. A new website and resources have been launched to help children and young people make their plans for marking the moment the Paralympic Flag is handed from the Mayor of Beijing over to the Mayor of London.

The website, which can be found at www.london2012.com/paralympichandover, presents tools, resources and ideas for whole school or college celebratory activities. Materials include assembly plans, suggested activities, fact sheets, certificates and a bank of Paralympic images. The activity in schools and colleges on September 17 will launch London 2012’s domestic Education Programme which will ‘go live’ the following day on 18 September.

Sebastian Coe, chair of LOCOG, said: 'Our vision is that the London 2012 Games will inspire and change the lives of children and young people across the UK and our education programme is a key part of our work to achieve this. We have invited all UK schools and colleges to plan activity around the Paralympic Handover on 17 September and then join us on a four-year journey to 2012. Our programme isn’t just about sport: it’s about challenging children and young people to make a difference and realise their potential in whatever context that may be, wherever they live.'

Cllr Chris Saint, Chair of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games, said: 'Congratulations to Reece for winning a once-in-a-lifetime trip that he won’t ever forget. St Peter’s is one of many schools in the West Midlands already using the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire its pupils - but witnessing it first-hand will be something truly spectacular. I hope Reece has a rewarding visit to Beijing and that his experiences will encourage other young people up and down the country to find out more and join in the celebrations for the Paralympic Handover on the 17 September.'

– Ends –

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com. Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog.

Notes to Editors:

Visa is a Worldwide Partner of the IPC and currently sponsors the Paralympic Games as part of its agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to support both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Visa is the exclusive payment card and official payment service for the Olympic and Paralympic Games through 2012.