Swimmer's hopes boosted by quiz

2:57pm Monday 19th March 2007

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Perrymount School raised more than £1,000 at their third annual quiz night to support a Forest Hill swimmer who has been selected to compete in the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2007 in Shanghai.

Mayor of Lewisham Steve Bullock and Lewisham West MP Jim Dowd both took part in the quiz.

Sarah Paschoud is 15 and has been training with the Sharks Swimming Club for the past five years.

She has been chosen to swim with the Great Britain aquatics team at the Special Olympics.

There are only eight swimmers in the GB team, so this is a great honour.

Each athlete is required to raise £2,000 towards their costs and travel throughout the year to team training weekends as well as continuing with usual training and competition.

Despite Mr Bullock, Mr Dowd and Councillor Robert Massey, the Lewisham cabinet member for children and young people, taking part in the quiz, the winning team was a group of residents from Gaynesford Road.

Mr Bullock said: "It was a great evening and a very enjoyable way to raise money for a good cause.

"I wish Sarah the best of luck at the Special Olympics. We're very proud of her, and it just goes to show what young people in Lewisham like Sarah can achieve."

Sarah, who attended the quiz, went on the next day to win three gold and a silver medal at the Friday Swimmers Gala in Guildford as well as the overall ladies' trophy.

By John Paschoud