Olympic Athlete Joel Fearon Inspires Pupils at Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist School

British Union Conference

Olympic Athlete Joel Fearon Inspires Pupils at Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist School

Great Britain sprinter and Olympic bobsledder encourages pupils to be brave, work hard and aim high.

by Chisha Chitambala, BUC Education Marketing Officer

Great Britain sprinter and Olympic bobsledder encourages pupils to be brave, work hard and aim high.

Pupils at Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist School in Birmingham welcomed Great Britain athlete, sprinter and Olympic bobsledder Joel Fearon on Monday 19 October 2026 for an exciting afternoon of fitness, determination and inspiration.

The sponsored fitness event, organised in partnership with Great Athletes, gave pupils an opportunity to get active, challenge themselves and learn valuable lessons from an elite athlete.

Joel led pupils through an energetic workout, encouraging every child to get moving, push themselves and give their very best. The children showed tremendous enthusiasm, teamwork and determination throughout.

The workout also provided an opportunity for pupils to raise money through sponsorship, with families and the wider school community supporting their fundraising efforts.

Following the workout, Joel spoke to pupils about his journey as an athlete, sharing experiences from sprinting and bobsleigh and reflecting on the dedication required to compete at the highest level.

His message about bravery was particularly inspiring, highlighting how having the courage to try, facing challenges and believing in yourself can make a real difference.

Joel also highlighted the important role his family played in supporting and encouraging him throughout his journey, reminding pupils that achievement is built not only on hard work, but also on the love and support of those around us.

The visit reflected Harper Bell School’s values of Love, Learning and Laughter, inspiring pupils to be resilient, ambitious and supportive of one another.

The school expressed its gratitude to Joel Fearon, Great Athletes and the families who helped make the event possible.

The afternoon left pupils with a simple but powerful message: Be brave. Work hard. Support one another. Dream big.