“Mystery guest” Beth comes to town

OLYMPIAN gymnast Beth Tweddle visited Warrington to be filmed playing wheelchair basketball with young disabled people for an appearance on BBC TV’s “Question of Sport” quiz show.
The most successful British gymnast in the history of the sport was shown playing with members of Warrington Disability Partnership’s inclusive sports club, DISC at the Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub.
The clip was shown in the part of the programme where team members have to identify a “mystery guest.”
Team captain, the former England cricketer Phil Tufnell, spotted Beth so wasn’t fooled by the ruse.
But 30-year-old Beth’s visit to WDP’s club gave the young members a big thrill.
Stacey King, leisure, recreation and sports co-ordinator at WDP said: “We’re honoured that our club was chosen to be filmed from the thousands of other projects nationally that benefit from Children in Need funding,
“It was so hard keeping Beth’s visit a secret from the children! She was really down-to-earth and insisted on spending time with each child to get to know them on a personal basis – signing their shirts and posing for photos with them. We can’t thank her enough!”
Beth’s visit came after BBC Children in Need pledged enough money to safeguard WDP’s leisure, recreation and sports project for a second three-year term.
Stacey said: “Disabled children and young people often need greater support to participate in activities. Mainstream clubs do not always have access to specialist equipment, focused support and understanding at a level that enables the children to progress further in the activity. This can make them feel excluded and isolated, which impacts on their health and wellbeing.
‘Parents tell us that without the services we provide, their children would not be able to access opportunities; develop and learn new skills; and increase their confidence in a wide range of sporting activities. The funding we received this summer is nothing less than a lifeline if you are a young disabled person in Warrington. We cannot thank BBC’s Children in Need enough.”
Awards are granted each year by BBC Children in Need to organisations supporting disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. Last year, the appeal raised more than £32.6m in a single night during the TV marathon, which was fronted by Tess Daly, Fearne Cotton and Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw.
This year’s appeal night will be screened on the evening of Friday  November 13.