Ade Adepitan: Paralympic Star and TV Personality Visits Guildford School

Published on: 11 Dec, 2018
Updated on: 11 Dec, 2018

Ade with Upper Sixth Form student Nathan Janmohamed.

For this term’s King’s Lecture, the Royal Grammar School Guildford was delighted to welcome one of the most recognisable faces on TV, Ade Adepitan.

Fresh from helping present on Children in Need, Ade captivated the packed audience with an insight into the challenges of his background and upbringing, his battles with health, his international sporting recognition, and overcoming a succession of setbacks and obstacles.

Ade with Upper Sixth form student and basketball player Kenny Okoroafor.

Ade recounted a string of anecdotes, some instructive, some entertaining: be wary of traffic wardens when they have an agenda; being home-schooled by your parents is something of an ordeal; pink chequered flares and a massive afro on day one of junior school are to be avoided; the Chevron 700 wheelchair for a kid is simply super cool; and racing in a Sainsbury’s trolley can be a stepping stone to becoming an international athlete.

But the stories also revealed a steely determination and dogged commitment to be the very best he could be. Fourteen years of rejection from the national team did not deter Ade and his messages of believe in yourself and never give up and pursue your dreams and do not be afraid to make mistakes far from being clichés, resonated with the whole audience.

As the applause continued, senior master Jimmy Pressley said: “The King’s Lecture series aims to challenge, inspire and engage: on every level, and more. Ade’s talk achieved this.” The evening raised well over £500 for a charity of which Ade is patron, Go Kids Go!