PARALYMPIC hero Ellie Challis has triumphantly returned to her school to show off her medal from the Tokyo games.

Tendring Technology College, which has sites in Thorpe and Frinton, welcomed back former student and Team GB star Ellie Challis, 17, after her impressive performances in the Paralympics.

Ellie, from Clacton, developed sepsis and meningitis aged just 16 months, which left her fighting for her life.

It resulted in her having to have both legs amputated below the knee and both arms at the elbow.

But that has not held back the inspirational teenager, who recently returned from competing in the Tokyo Paralympics where she won a silver medal in the 50m backstroke.

Ellie wanted to go back to the college to see her school friends in Year 13, the PE staff, staff who supported her and all the other students.

She showed them her medal and spoke about her achievements.

“Nothing is impossible if you keep trying and believing,” she told fellow students.

Ellie donated her Team GB swim suit and swim hat to the college’s PE department.

A spokesman for the school said: “There was a real buzz of excitement in the college.

“We are hoping Ellie comes back to be our special guest speaker at our end-of-year sports awards evening.

“Ellie visited the Frinton site, went into lessons and students were able to ask Ellie questions, hold her silver medal and have photos.

“Ellie then headed down to the Thorpe site and went into Miss Harris and Mr Smith’s PE lessons.

“The Year 8 girls were overwhelmed at meeting her.

“At the end of the day the students were calling Ellie’s name out of the bus windows, chanting from the streets and asking for photos.

“Ellie took this in her stride and was an inspiration to all.”