A TWELVE-YEAR-OLD girl from Christchurch managed to meet her idol after writing him a persuasive letter to deliver an assembly and meet the school as part of a school project.

In Autumn last year, year six students at Christchurch Junior School were set the task of writing to someone who inspired them, whilst being taught about persuasive writing.

Snow sport enthusiast Ella Hall wrote a letter to Team GB Head of Coaching Pat Sharples, a coach the Team GB Snowsport athletes for freestyle skiing, of which Ella is a huge fan.

Year six teacher Alli Melvin said: “After all the letter were written, we posted every letter and waited to hear from any responses.

“Some people got back to the students with a thank you, but Ella received a letter back from Pat Sharples saying he would be more than happy to come and visit.

“Pat was absolutely brilliant. He talked about his career, the Olympics, the XGames and the students loved it.”

Pat travelled down from Manchester to Christchurch to lead an assembly for her year six peers, as well as equipment used by professionals including skis used by British freestyle skier James Woods.

Alli added: “What was really nice was that he helped promote the local ski centre, and, when they finished, the children were all absolutely buzzing.”

A number of students wrote letters addressed to AFC Bournemouth stars Nathan Ake and Callum Wilson, and representatives from the Premier League came to the school and met students.

Ella first started skiing when she was six years old. She now trains with Team Snowtrax, a local club based outside of Hurn near Bournemouth Airport.

Ella’s mother said: “She loves all snow sports: skiing, snowboarding, telemark, all that kind of stuff. Some of these guys, especially the ones that are in Team GB are like Hollywood A listers for Ella

“So, she decided to write her letter to Pat Sharples because she thought if he could come and encourage people in her class to take up snow sports

“She wasn’t really thinking it would come to anything, but he got back in touch with Ella and said that he would be delighted to visit.”

Under Head Coach Darren Schmidt, club members are encouraged to participate in Ski Racing, Freestyle and Snowboarding.

Ella is a very passionate snow sports athlete, who hopes one day to be a coach herself.

Her mother added: “When she came home that day, she was absolutely buzzing. Not just for the fact that she meet him but the fact that he had taken time out of his busy schedule to come down to Bournemouth and help to inspire people to take up snow sports.”