BY Guardian Reporter

A synchronised diver returned to the Wimbledon school where he learned to swim last week to open a new centre for children with learning difficulties.

Croydon-born Blake Aldridge, 25, visited Linden Lodge School in Princes Way with fellow diver Tom Daley.

The pair recently finished third in the 10 metre synchronised diving at a FINA World Cup event in China, guaranteeing Great Britain a place in the final at the 2008 Games in Beijing in August.

They took the youngsters for a swimming lesson and then officially opened The Harris Centre, which offers specialist equipment for children of secondary school age who have profound and multiple learning difficulties.

Mr Aldridge learned to swim as a young boy at Linden Lodge, when his granddad worked there as a caretaker. His mum still works there now as part of the senior management team.
He met some of the inspirational children at the school, including Chamandeep Singh Grover who will be playing blind cricket for England this summer in Barbados and Jynne Dylan Evite, who walked unaided for the first time this year.

He said: "What this centre is doing for the kids here is absolutely brilliant. With the 2012 London Olympics coming, schools and clubs should be doing as much as they can to push kids into sport. We've still got enough time to find some hopefuls."

Principal Roger Legate said: "I am immensely impressed with The Harris Centre which is an outstanding and unique resource for Linden Lodge School.

"Our sporting champions were inspired by our special guests Blake Aldridge and Tom Daley who are exemplary to all aspiring champions."

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