Ellie Simmonds: The most amazing time of my life

SHE'S our golden girl who smashed her own record at the Paralympic Games — but now Ellie Simmonds is putting her feet up.

The 17-year-old, who divides her time between Swansea and Aldridge in the Midlands, has been back home relaxing, as this picture shows.

But she's looking forward to seeing her golden postboxes, one of which is in Walsall and the other is in Swansea Marina.

Olchfa pupil Ellie told the Express and Star newspaper in the Midlands: "It's been the most amazing time of my life, not just in terms of my performance and winning two golds, a silver and bronze, but being with the team and being in the village was amazing.

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"Being part of the closing ceremony and extinguishing the flame was great, although I was quite nervous to be in front of 80,000 people.

"I'd like to say a massive thank you for everyone's support, it definitely gave me that little bit extra in the pool."

That support has come in droves from Swansea schoolchildren who have been writing letters and drawing posters of Ellie.

One such poster was sent in by Cora Ellacott, 5, from Brynmill, and is featured on this page.

Ellie, who trains at the Wales National Pool, plans to spend the next few days relaxing in Aldridge with family and friends before heading back to London for media and sponsorship commitments.

In Wales, the Welsh Government and National Assembly have organised a joint welcome home celebration in front of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

Team GB and Paralympics GB members were today due to parade to the Senedd to be greeted on the steps by First Minister Carwyn Jones and the Assembly's Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler. Lord Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association, was also expected.

The First Minister said: "Inspirational, heroic, awe-inspiring — just some of the words that can be used to describe what our Olympians and Paralympians have achieved this summer. We have seen superhuman feats on the sporting field, moments of achievement that will stay with all of us for the rest of our lives."

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