Dan’s send-off – from Dunes to Gold Coast!
OLYMPIC gymnast Dan Purvis has been given a surprise send-off ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
The Crosby gymnast has flown out to the Gold Coast to represent Scotland in the Games but before he left, Dan was surprised at Dunes Leisure Centre in Southport with a special cake and balloon to wish him all the best.
Many of the children who Dan coaches were on hand to join Active Sefton staff in presenting him with the gifts.
Dan, 27, has since travelled to Australia along with his fellow gymnast Frank Baines, with the duo both representing Scotland at the Games between April 4 and April 15.
Dan won gold on parallel bars in the 2014 Glasgow games, and bronze in the team event at the London Olympics.
Heather Redhead, Sefton Council’s health and wellbeing develop- ment manager, said: “It was so nice to be able to surprise Dan and Frank ahead of the Games.
“Dan was presented with a cake and balloon by the youngsters he coaches at Dunes Leisure Centre, as they wanted to wish him well and say good luck ahead of the Games.
“The Dan Purvis Gymnastics sessions, which operate at both Netherton Activity Centre and Dunes leisure Centre are incredibly popular and both Dan and Frank give up their time to help encourage a whole new generation of gymnasts.
“Dan is also a strong advocate of Active Sefton’s programmes and has been very supportive of Sefton’s own Jump into Gymnastics sessions.
“We wish Dan and Frank all the best and hope they bring back a haul of medals to show the children when they return!”
To find out more about Active Sefton’s Jump Into Gymnastics sessions, call 0151 288 6283.