Inspirational Louth boy Harvey Phillips lands two national swimming titles

Inspirational swimmer Harvey Phillips rose to the occasion as he smashed two personal bests to become a double national champion.
Harvey with coach Sarah and dad Darren Phillips EMN-160701-170348002Harvey with coach Sarah and dad Darren Phillips EMN-160701-170348002
Harvey with coach Sarah and dad Darren Phillips EMN-160701-170348002

Harvey brought two gold medals back to show off to Louth Swimming Club after a stunning performance at the National Para Swimming Championships at the Aquatics Centre, in Manchester.

Harvey became a quadruple amputee after he contracted meningitis when he was just nine-months-old.

To save his life, surgeons had to amputate both legs at the knees, his right arm below the elbow and the fingers from his left hand.

Harvey (centre of second row from back) is pictured next to his coach Sarah Richardson at Louth Swimming Clubs Santa Sprints Gala with his fellow Skills Squad Swimmers and coaches EMN-160701-170359002Harvey (centre of second row from back) is pictured next to his coach Sarah Richardson at Louth Swimming Clubs Santa Sprints Gala with his fellow Skills Squad Swimmers and coaches EMN-160701-170359002
Harvey (centre of second row from back) is pictured next to his coach Sarah Richardson at Louth Swimming Clubs Santa Sprints Gala with his fellow Skills Squad Swimmers and coaches EMN-160701-170359002

The 11-year-old was in stellar company at the national meet with world and Paralympic champions among the 300-strong field of swimmers including Eleanor Simmonds and Sascha Kindred.

But Harvey, who harbours high hopes of representing Great Britain at the Paralympics one day, refused to be overawed by the occasion.

On day one of the championships he secured his first gold in the 10 to 13 years 50m freestyle S4 category.

His winning time of 1min 11.65secs was a huge personal best by 3.7 seconds.

Harvey (centre of second row from back) is pictured next to his coach Sarah Richardson at Louth Swimming Clubs Santa Sprints Gala with his fellow Skills Squad Swimmers and coaches EMN-160701-170359002Harvey (centre of second row from back) is pictured next to his coach Sarah Richardson at Louth Swimming Clubs Santa Sprints Gala with his fellow Skills Squad Swimmers and coaches EMN-160701-170359002
Harvey (centre of second row from back) is pictured next to his coach Sarah Richardson at Louth Swimming Clubs Santa Sprints Gala with his fellow Skills Squad Swimmers and coaches EMN-160701-170359002

With confidence high, Harvey then faced the S4 10 to 13 years 50m backstroke race the following day.

He duly delivered his second title, taking a sizeable two-and-a-half-seconds off his previous best mark as he touched home in 1min 27.80secs.

Harvey’s coach Sarah Richardson said: “This is a fabulous and well-deserved achievement for Harvey as he works so hard in training and it has now paid off.

“We at Louth Swimming Club are so very proud of him.”