Moment Down’s boy won sports day gold… with a little help from his mates
AS any parent knows, school sports days can be fiercely competitive.
So it was all the more remarkable when a group of schoolboys arranged for their friend with Down’s Syndrome to beat them in a 60m sprint.
The pupils decided to link arms and jog during the contest – leaving Rory Kettles, 11, to scoop gold.
In a video of the race posted online, Rory is filmed running to victory, with all the other boys crossing the line together several seconds later.
The youngsters all then go over to congratulate Rory on winning the race at Wrawby St Mary’s CofE Primary School, near Scunthorpe.
Rory’s mum Ros Kettles, who works in family support at North Lincolnshire Council, said: ‘They can be so competitive at that age so it was absolutely lovely that they did that. After he crossed the finish line he was really excited and just kept saying “I won! I won!” and at home that night he said “I feel so happy that I won!”
‘He’s been involved in sports day before but usually stops and looks round to see where everyone is.
‘This year I said “It’s your last year, make sure you don’t stop”. Luckily he didn’t see them all coming up behind him or he would have stopped.
‘I was really emotional when I saw the video and lots of the parents there were emotional too.’ Mumof-two Mrs Kettles, 50, said she missed the race because she was at work, but added that Rory has always enjoyed sport, particularly football and badminton, and loved taking part in sports day.
She added: ‘He’s in such a lovely class – all the children have always included Rory but they’re an especially lovely bunch of lads.
‘It’s really unfortunate that I just missed it as I had to pop into work. I’ve seen it on video and thought it was fantastic, just a lovely thing for them to do – it was all their own idea.’ Another parent Michelle Drury said her son Rio and his classmates had chatted about doing it without any influence from teachers. Miss Drury said: ‘I’m unbelievably proud of what Rio and the boys did. Being their last sports day they decided they wanted their friend Rory to remember his last running race by coming first.
‘They all slowed down, put their arms round each other and ran together to make sure they came joint second.
‘Everyone at the sports day were crying their eyes out – these kids don’t know how amazing they are.’
The boys, who will be going to separate secondary schools in September, have been schoolmates since reception class.
The sports day took place on June 9. Head teacher Mariclare Potterton said: ‘As you can imagine I’m incredibly proud of all the children – it was something the children came up with themselves.
‘It promotes what this school is all about – all of our children are very important to us.
‘Just before the race they asked if it was ok. They had obviously been discussing beforehand.
‘It was so emotional and I was just so touched.’