As part of Bath Children’s Literature Festival, Royal High School Bath hosted the endlessly energetic and enigmatic Ade Adepitan, celebrated medal-winning Paralympian, travel journalist and children’s author. Ade shared stories of his childhood growing up in London, having moved from Lagos, Nigeria at a young age. The audience was treated to a reading from Ade’s book ‘Cyborg Cat and the Night Spider’, based on Ade’s own experience of disability, and the comical adventures he enjoyed with friends.

Over 160 primary school children from local schools joined girls from the Royal High Prep School, and listened intently as Ade described how, as a child, he contracted Polio, resulting in the loss of movement in his left leg. Although life-changing, Ade did not let this hold him back, and from an early age, aspired to become an athlete. Initially opposed to using a wheelchair, Ade was introduced to wheelchair basketball and was in awe of the skill, determination and grit of the players he saw that day.

Now a celebrated wheelchair basketball player, Ade represented Great Britain in the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, winning bronze with his team. Ade brought his basketball wheelchair along and showed off some impressive moves, before giving one lucky audience member the opportunity to have a go, and even race him!

A firm believer in fundraising and charity, Ade works closely alongside Children in Need, with the first year’s profits of his Cyborg Cat series going directly to charities close to his heart. This has inspired Royal High School Bath to explore opportunities and ways in which they can volunteer, and raise money for Rotary linked charities such as Purple4Polio.

The Bath Children’s Literature Festival is proudly sponsored by Royal High School Bath, for more information on the wonderful events that have taken place through September and October, visit their website at: https://bathfestivals.org.uk/childrens-literature/.

Royal High School Bath has their Open Day on Saturday 12 October, or arrange a visit at a time to suit you, email admissions@rhsb.gdst.net for more information.