Wheelchair tennis players Andy Lapthorne and Marc McCarroll visited Hillingdon this week to encourage more youngsters to play tennis.
Lapthorne and McCarroll, who competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games earlier this year, visited St Helen's College in Hillingdon to spread the word about wheelchair tennis and inspire more disabled people to try the sport.
They were also on hand to take part in a demonstration using the school's Aegon Schools equipment pack.
The Aegon Schools Tennis programme provides training, resources and free equipment to schools nationwide to help more people play tennis at schools. The programme aims to ensure a pupil's first experience of tennis is positive, fun and engaging – whatever their age, ability or background, creating a tennis habit for life.
Andy Lapthorne, who won a silver medal in the quad doubles at London 2012, said: "Having visited St Helens College back in 2010, it was really nice to go back and see how the Paralympic Games have reached out to pupils at the school and inspired them to get involved.
"I hope that we can show that tennis is a sport for everyone, whatever your ability or previous experience."
Marc McCarroll added: "I started playing tennis on the courts right next door to St Helen's College so it was great to be able to visit to thank the staff and pupils that came to watch me during the Paralympic Games.
"The noise they made on the day helped me win my first ever match at a Paralympic Games – a day I'll never forget."
Andy and Marc were on hand to help bury a time capsule at the school
Paul Williams, Schools Tennis Manager at the Tennis Foundation said: "The Tennis Foundation is committed to maximising the legacy of the London 2012 Games through a series of inspirational school visits, such as the visit to St Helen's College.
"St Helen's were one of the first schools supported through the Aegon Schools Tennis programme with free training, resources and equipment back in 2009 – since then the Tennis Foundation and LTA have gone on to support more than 14,800 schools, nearly half the schools in Great Britain."
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