Nicolas Hamilton inspires PACE students as part of World Cerebral Palsy Day

10 May 2020

Sunday 6th October was World Cerebral Palsy (CP) Day.  As well as being an opportunity to raise awareness of CP, it is also an amazing way to celebrate and show pride in the lives and achievements of those with the condition and the people and organisations that support them.

As part of the celebrations, Pace were honoured to welcome a visit from Nicolas “Nic” Hamilton, the British racing driver who currently competes in the British Touring Car Championship. Nic’s aim is to inspire both able-bodied and disabled individuals to strive to achieve their life goals and aspirations, regardless of their current situation or struggles and to show that they can be achieved irrespective of how big or small they are. As part of World CP Day, he came along to a Pace assembly on Monday 7th October.

Nic was born with CP and like the young people at Pace, he continuously strives to achieve more in life and his career. As Nic spoke to the students it was clear that there was affinity between his approach to life and the ethos of Pace. His absolute positivity and determination to overcome the challenges he faces every day to compete against able bodied drivers was palpable.

He gave over an hour of his time talking to the students and staff: covering the bespoke design of his modified car, his achievements to date, his challenges and his dreams for the future.

Dressed in green (the colour of CP awareness), the young people had some fantastic questions for Nic with one of them even asked him for a race.  He inspired them with his stories, and it was very clear that the young people at Pace also inspired him!

“Our primary aim at Pace is to help our children achieve their full potential and become as independent as possible, now and in the future. Nic is such a powerful example of what is possible, and he not only shared his story but he encouraged, coached and empowered our young people during his time at Pace – he’s had such a positive impact – and we are extremely grateful.”