In 1964, a Medway man won Olympic silver at the Tokyo Olympics by going on a walk… this weekend his family will themselves be walking to raise money for the Nursing Home where he currently lives – this is the story of Paul Nihill MBE…
Sadly, Paul is now suffering from dementia and is living at Amherst Court in Chatham, and this weekend his grandson – former Chatham Town, Sheppey United and Hollands & Blair striker Rob Denness – will be leading a family walk of fifty kilometres (the distance that his Grandad walked to Olympic glory in Japan all those years ago) in order to raise funds for the home and he’s been talking to KSN…
“The idea for the walk came around after I had a video call with my Grandad around 4 weeks ago,” Rob told us, “it was very emotional to see my Grandad struggle to know who I was and understand the conversation I was trying to have. During the call there were two nurses who will very patient and helpful with trying to get grandad’s attention. For me seeing and knowing my grandad is deteriorating mental and physical was upsetting!”
Rob went on, “there was also the realisation how tough the environment is for the working carers with COVID. As soon as the call ended, I decided with my Fiancée Scarlett, that we would do a fundraiser for the residents living with dementia but also for the carers working at Amherst Court in tough conditions. It made me reflect and think we are fortunate to be healthy, fit and well. For us as a family to give something back to give them an exciting Christmas and presents felt the right thing to do…”
Paul’s walk to glory was on 18th October 1964, and after his epic walk, he went onto become the first Britain to represent GB in four successive Olympic games! His Grandson admitted, “I know he was really proud to represent team GB and win a medal for the country!! There was a lot of press and hype when he got back to England he was very busy for weeks afterwards with interviews and sharing his medal to the press and the people.”
“My Nan told me that he quoted in a letter to her “I feel wonderful on top of the World – an Olympic Silver Medal – a new World best time – a new Olympic record. What an occasion for me!” He had to send a letter as he was still in Tokyo with the rest of the team GB. When they came home. Nan was there to greet him when he got off the plane – she said he told her “I was close to winning but happy with the silver!!” Grandad always wanted to win!”
“It’s amazing knowing that there’s an Olympic hero in the family! I always tell people my Grandad is a Silver medallist – even the students at my school! Being a PE teacher its always easy to relate to my grandad and his success but how he become successful. We’ve had him as a guest speaker and hand out rewards to students in the past. What inspires me is he wanted to compete for himself and to have that sense of achievement for him and not for anyone else for anything. These days people expect money or recognition or praise. Grandad performed and trained for the love of the sport and for himself!”
Turning back to Sunday’s walk, Rob told us, “We were hoping just to contribute towards presents for the residents and the staff. I imagined at first around £500 BUT we are already at over £1,400 which is amazing and can’t thank the support and generosity of people. All the money raised will be disturbed amongst the seventy-one residents and all the staff. We also hope when we can to have a celebration in the summer to bring the families together for an afternoon tea!”
If you would like to support the Denness family on their own epic trek in aid of such an incredible man – a real Kent Olympic hero – and a wonderful cause, please visit the fundraising page and please give generously…