Sean Gaffney visited St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy to help raise money for new sports equipmentGB Athlete and Paralympian Sean Gaffney at St Mary’s Catholic Primary with pupils who took part in his sponsored fitness circuits to raise money for new sports equipment(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)

A Commonwealth and Invictus Games athlete put Grimsby pupils through their paces in sponsored fitness circuits to help the school raise money for new sports equipment. Great Athletes is a social enterprise with a mission to help children be more physically active by bringing top athletes into primary schools.

Sean Gaffney is one of the 50 athletes they work with and he visited St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy to tell his unique story about overcoming challenges and the importance of following our dreams. Sean joined the Royal Navy in 1989, where he remained for almost 30 years.

He took part in a wide range of sports, including the field gun competition at the Royal Tournament in London. This is the world’s toughest team sport, involving hauling cannons and other major equipment across an assault course.

Sean Gaffney with pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary who took part in his sponsored fitness circuits(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)

Unfortunately, in 1991, while practising for the event, a 900lb gun barrel was dropped on his foot. In hospital he had to undergo 25 surgeries, resulting in a leg amputation below the left knee. Since then, Sean has also battled cancer twice, but through grit and determination has competed in both the Invictus Games and Commonwealth Games, where he represented Wales.

Sian Solomou, Year 2 teacher and PE Coordinator at St Mary’s said: “He’s here to really inspire the children into being physically active.

“It’s not just about physical health, it’s also about mental health and we really want to inspire children into thinking it doesn’t matter what challenges you face in life because we can achieve anything if we put our minds to it. Being fit, healthy and having that positive mental attitude will really take you far.”

Sean Gaffney at St Mary’s Catholic Primary taking part in sponsored circuits to raise money for new sports equipment(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)

She continued: “We asked children to get sponsorship for the circuits they are doing with Sean and from the money raised we give a small percentage to Great Athletes who run this with an amazing set-up. Then we get a percentage that we can spend on new school sports equipment.

“I’m really hoping to get some home packs for children, because not all children have lots of things at home to do any physical activity. By making some home packs they can take it home, do the activity, bring it back and take another one home.

“Great Athletes have been encouraging the pupils to be loud and cheer each other on, and just have fun. We know the minute they start physical activity it releases those endorphins and just helps with instantly making us happy.

“It’s also great for concentration and studies show the more active someone is, the better they do across other subjects so its all been very positive.” Sean said: “The idea behind behind Great Athletes is they put national or international athletes into primary schools to encourage the kids to take up sport, and hopefully continue sport throughout their entire life.

Pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary during their fitness circuits(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)

“This is my fourth year visiting schools with Great Athletes, it’s absolutely fantastic coming in and working with the kids and this school has been absolutely fantastic. We try to make the circuits an experience, they can come in here and blow off steam, they can scream, they can shout, they can support, they can laugh, can joke and hopefully encourage their friends.

“It’s only four minutes of exercise and if we get them enjoying four minutes, next time they’ll do 10 minutes. The teachers have been in and around helping to motivate, and getting engagement from the teachers is fantastic. The school has been brilliant and by the time they finished I hope they’ve all had a good time.”

GB Athlete and Paralympian Sean Gaffney(Image: Donna Clifford/GrimsbyLive)

Sean explained: “I joined the Royal Navy and was in for 29 years. I competed in the field gun competitions at Earls Court which is where I lost my leg.

“We used to throw cannons over assault courses and obstacles as a sport. After losing my leg in the military, I then stayed in and got myself involved with Help for Heroes. In 2016 I went to the Invictus Games, I came away with four medals, two of them gold.”

He added: “At 47 I got selected to represent Wales in the Commonwealth Games, I came last because I was injured so I recovered from injury and then I was selected to represent GB as a powerlifter. I got injured again at the 2023 world championships in South Africa. I had surgery again, recovered from surgery and I’m now aiming for GB selection again.”