Paralympic gold swimmer helps charity challenge

Paralympic medal-winner Leo McCrea has been helping BBC Radio Solent presenter Steve Harris

A Dorset-based Paralympic swimmer who won a gold medal in Paris has been supporting a Children in Need fundraising challenge.

Leo McCrea, from Poole, triumphed in the SB5 100m breast stroke final. The 20-year-old, who is half Swiss, won the medal for Switzerland.

During a break from training, he has been helping BBC Radio Solent presenter Steve Harris perfect his swimming technique.

The Dorset Breakfast show host is part of a five-strong team taking part in the Thousand Mile Challenge for Children in Need.

Dorset Breakfast show host Steve Harris said his swimming talent was "not good"

The challenge sees BBC radio stations around the UK joining together to swim a collective 1,000 miles, with each station team attempting to cover 24 miles between the 4 and 8 November.

Leo trained at Bournemouth Collegiate School (BCS), which runs a programme for talented swimmers.

He returned to give some tips to Steve, who said: "My swimming talent is not good, I’m hoping that through some training and speaking to some experts I might get some tips to help me get better."

Reflecting on his time at school, Leo said: "It's crazy really, I’m 20 and been to the Paras twice.

"It feels special for me, as it’s something I always worked on when I was younger, all the help I had here at BCS was really special to help me win the medal as well."

Theo hopes to be in the Paralympic squad for the LA games

So what advice did he have for Steve?

Leo recommended that he work on his breathing, does not go out too fast and just does his best.

His verdict was that Steve was "doing pretty well so far".

"He’s got the rhythm going like I told him to," he said.

Leo and Steve were joined at the pool by BCS students and rising swimming stars Zack, 17, and Theo, 16, who are both hoping to make the Paralympics in LA in 2028.

Zack who’s a distance swimmer and a current 1500m British record holder, said: "It’s painful, when you reach a certain point, around 1200m and you think 'how far?' and then when you hear the whistle at the end, for the last two lengths, you’re like ‘thank goodness'."

Zack is a current 1500m British record holder

His advice to Steve was to just keep going, while Theo said he should focus on trying his best and having fun.

Speaking after the session, Steve said he was surprised by how quickly he was out of breath and how quickly his muscles started hurting.

But he said it was "a privilege to get tips from potential Paralympians and a Paralympic gold medallist".

"I will carry that with me through the day of the challenge. Hopefully that will inspire me to the finish line," he said.