Kate Lord

Kate qualified as an original member of the Derbyshire Derventio Excel squad for elite swimming training, as a 10 year old. This required up to 15 hours a week in the water plus competitions. When aged 13 she contracted glandular fever which affected her immune system and has had five years of seeing hospital consultants. She was unable to get back to peak performance and no longer qualified for the squad. She did not give up, but kept on swimming at club level and looked for other opportunities. She became a poolside helper, qualified as a lifeguard and a level 2 swimming teacher. Her training, fitness and attitude enabled her to compete at District level at athletics and County level at cross-country. Recently she obtained a gold Duke of Edinburgh award. She has worked voluntarily for a Children's Holiday Centre and as a pool lifeguard. Kate has been accepted at Liverpool Hope University to study Sports Psychology. Sport and effort has provided her with a part time job, a purpose in life, and a future career.