Paralympic siblings receive warm welcome home

Gold-medallist Becky Redfern and her brother Matt have returned home from the Paralympic Games to a raucous welcome at their swimming club.

The siblings, who both compete in para-swimming, were surprised and serenaded by their Worcester Swimming Club team-mates.

They walked around the poolside to a chorus of applause from the children of the club along with the parents and family in the stands.

Becky Redfern said: "This is my second home, this is my second family, so their love is just amazing."

Becky, 24, won gold at the Paralympics for the 100m breaststroke swimming and her brother, 25, competed in the men's 100m.

Mr Redfern said coming home to such a warm reception was "emotional".

"I wasn’t quite expecting it. I knew we were getting a little homecoming, but the lap around the pool, it’s quite surreal," he added.

He told BBC Hereford & Worcester that it was "really nice seeing all the young faces" and hopefully "inspiring them".

Matt and Becky Redfern take a lap around the swimming pool to cheers and applause

Ms Redfern said receiving the welcome "feels a bit like dream".

"It's really hard to put into words because I walked around the poolside and everyone was clapping for me and Matt. There’s so much love here and Worcester Swimming Club is the best club," she said.

Swimming coach, Mark Stowe, said the atmosphere of the surprise was amazing and a reminder of how proud the club is of the siblings.

He said: "All the young swimmers at the club have come out to celebrate the successes and the performances of Becky and Matt Redfern at the Paralympic Games, it’s amazing. it’s been lovely to welcome them home.

"The recognition from everybody at the club for all their hard work preparing for Paris and their performances there. So proud of them."