THE Mendip Activity Centre is proudly celebrating Paralympian Hester Poole who is making her Paralympic debut part in this year in Milano Cortina.

The 18-year old from Bath is competing in the visually impaired class Para Alpine events alongside her guide and long-term ski partner since 2023, Ali Hall.

Her skiing journey began at age seven on Mendip’s dry ski slope in Churchill, North Somerset.

By the age of 12, she was competing internationally guided by her brother Benjie and she was balancing school studies alongside training with the GB Snowsport Para Alpine World Cup squad representing Great Britain at the highest level of para alpine skiing.

The Paralympian received an offer to study English Literature at the University of Cambridge just two weeks before she learned she had a place on the team.

Phil Turner, head of centre at Mendip Activity Centre, said: “We are incredibly proud of Hester and everything she has achieved at such a young age.

“To see someone begin their ski journey here in Somerset and go on to represent Team GB is inspiring for our whole community.

“Her dedication, commitment and resilience show what can be achieved when passion meets opportunity.”

"From a local slope to the international stage representing Team GB, Hester’s story is inspiring the next generation across Somerset and beyond, showing how outdoor experiences can build independence, confidence and self-belief; especially for young people with additional needs.

“Her outstanding achievements send a powerful message: your starting point does not define your destination. With courage, support and the willingness to try, remarkable things can happen, a journey that perfectly reflects Mendip’s ethos: “It’s everyone’s adventure.”

Hester, who has five to 10 per cent vision was born with the rare eye disease Leber congenital amaurosis, has a guide dog called Pickle, and is a Youth Ambassador for Guide Dogs for the Blind.