AN ‘absolutely fabulous’ opportunity has sprung up for a young Sheepstor woman to become a joint patron with actress Joanna Lumley of a swimming and diving charity for the disabled.

Maddy Hopson, 21, has cerebral palsy and is a disabled sports diver who is passionately trying to promote aquatic activities at Plymouth Life Centre and in London.

And her ambitions have been recognised by the new charity North London Aquatics which approached Maddy with the opportunity to represent them.

North London Aquatics is a charity that was initiated after the announcement the pool in Barnet Copthall was to close and a new on built without diving facilities. The charity’s aim is to raise money for building a deep water pool for grass root sport and the community in North London.

Maddy, a BA honours degree student in sport development at university, said: ‘I was approached by North London Aquatics asking me to become one of their patrons after they had followed my diving progress on Twitter and were impressed with my enthusiasm for diving despite my disability.’

Maddy was born premature at 27 weeks with a bleed on the brain which resulted in her having Cerebral Palsy that affects her mobility and every day living — and was given a 25 per cent survival rate.

Maddy admits that she loves to prove people wrong and show everyone what she is capable of: ‘When I was two years old my parents were told that I may never walk or talk and that I would have to go to a special school. After a tricky few years at a local primary school my parents moved me to an amazing prep school where inclusiveness was high on the agenda and my love of sport was born.’

Maddy added that she was delighted when she was approached by the charity: ‘I was absolutely delighted to be asked to be patron of this worthy charity. One of their aims is to include DiveAbility on their programme. This is a massive step forward and as a disabled diver, very personal to me as diving is what I love doing. There are not many clubs in the country offering this and as a huge supporter of this activity I am delighted to see it in our capital city — I would love to be more involved in their future programmes one day.’

Currently there are only private diving lessons on offer in Plymouth for those with additional needs but Maddy hopes that if enough interest is generated then group lessons could be on offer in the future: ‘I have 1-1 lessons with an amazing coach Ali Piper, who has been so supportive and my diving and confidence has come on leaps and bounds — a far cry from the person five years ago who couldn’t jump off the side of the pool.

‘My aim is to one day see diving in the Paralympics and encouraging disabled and disadvantaged people to engage in sport is part of my future aim.

‘I try not to let my disability hold me back from doing the things I love.’

Maddy’s mum Janet said she was very proud of what Maddy has achieved: ‘She is now patron of the charity and she is busy trying to get disabled diving in Plymouth. She has recently achieved the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award and being a disabled person and getting a Gold Duke of Edinburgh medal is phenomenal.

‘Maddy is so proud to be a patron.’