A specialist school has gained two famous faces as ambassadors to help promote inclusive sport for children with disabilities.
Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy and former Leicestershire and England wicket keeper Paul Nixon recently visited Dorothy Goodman School, in Hinckley after agreeing to be their sports ambassadors.
The pair will help to support the growth of sporting activity within the school and encourage inclusive sport for all children.
Paul Dixon, who has dyslexia himself, said: "It is massively important to encourage all children to be involved in sport.
"And having dyslexia myself, this is something very close to my heart.
"I had to overcome challenges as a child.
"I want to help in any way I can to show these children that is always possible to be involved in sport."
Dorothy Goodman School caters for pupils aged between three and 19-years-old, all of whom have a learning disability, ranging from ADHD to Downs Syndrome.
"The kids are amazing," said Paul.
"It blew me away when I visited the school. It wasn't just the children but the staff are brilliant, they have so much compassion for the children. The facilities are great there too."
Paul said he particularly wants to work on improving the outdoor facilities at the school.
"I want to keep improving the relationship between the school and me," said Paul.
"I want to work with them to improve facilities."
As there are more than 200 pupils who attend the school, all of a diverse range, the curriculum is offered across five sites.
Fundraising manager at the school, Liam Deacy, said: "It's great to be able to have two brilliant role models for the kids.
"Some of the children don't get the opportunity to meet people like Nixon and Vardy, so it was lovely to give them the chance.
"When they visited the school, one child said he had met his heroes, it was brilliant."
The pair spent the day signing shirts and match programmes, as well as speaking to the children about what they can achieve.
Liam said that having the two sportsmen as ambassadors, will give the school great exposure.
"For the reputation of the school, this is massive," he said.
"They will be involved in promoting sport at the school.
"They will be attending any events, especially sports events, that they can."
The school will also be allocating pupil ambassadors to help promote sport throughout the facility as well.
Liam said: "We want the kids to see that they can go out and do what they want to do, whatever level of disability they have.
"We want the children to see it is possible for them to take part in sport."
