THE Glazier’s Hall in London provided the venue on Wednesday, March 28, for the Treloar Talks - an event that, according to a spokesperson, every year “just gets better and even more inspiring”.

This, the third annual Treloar Talks, was hosted by Alastair Stewart OBE, long-standing Treloar’s patron and friend, who set the scene about the inspirational work that goes on at the Holybourne campus.

First to the lectern was Paralympic gold medallist Anne Dickins MBE. She talked of overcoming adversity when an injury forced her to give up cycling. Determined to face the new challenges that confronted her, she happened upon Para-canoeing while volunteering at the 2012 London Olympics.

Within seven weeks of starting canoeing training Anne had made the Team GB squad and four years later won Paralympic gold in Rio.

She developed a new mantra to focus her efforts: “Don’t see how far you have to go, see how far you have come.”

Anne handed over to Richard Betts, a former fire-fighter who now runs Pied-a-Terre Adventures which helps people undertake life-changing challenges from traversing Mont Blanc to the Three Peaks Challenge in 48 hours.

Helping others to dig deep and find the motivation and determination to succeed, despite the task that faces them, is what motivates Richard and this was in evidence when he assisted Sir Richard Branson as part of a Team Virgin challenge across the Alps.

Next up was Dan Eley whose 15-minute talk was titled ‘Rediscovering Happiness’. A freak accident in South America left Dan paralysed from the neck down and thousands of miles from home.

As part of his arduous rehabilitation following this life-changing injury, he set up the Dan Eley Foundation which helps train over 300 young people in South America and gives them a chance at a brighter future.

The spokesperson: said: “Dan’s determination and resolve was quite remarkable.”

Following Dan, Jeremy Taylor, chief executive of Gatwick Diamond Business, then spoke of the challenges and adversity that small businesses face, and related how his organisation helps those businesses to succeed and how to be outstanding when an organisation doesn’t stand out!

In addition he shared his own unique fundraising adventures which included travelling to Monte Carlo, by public transport, across France, dressed as Kermit the Frog.

Last to the stage was Angus Irvine, who spoke about what it has been like to be father to Lily.

Lily has been at Treloar’s for several years and has cerebral palsy. Angus spoke of the fight to give Lily access to the correct treatment, equipment and education for her needs, and that the fight never ends – it just moves on to the next thing.

He finished by saying what a proud father he was and, said the spokesperson: “Undoubtedly, Lily would have been very proud of her dad’s excellent talk!”

The Treloar Talks took a record £4,300 and the School and College is looking forward to more inspirational speakers in 2019.