Hollie Arnold grew up in Grimsby playing all sorts of sport from netball to football. However, she never thought that one day she would be winning gold medals on the international stage.
In her own words, she’s just a ‘girl from Grimsby’; however, to the younger generation and the people of North East Lincolnshire, she is so much more. Since going to her first Paralympics, Beijing 2008, at 14 she has gone on to become a world class athlete who has won countless accolades.
These include six consecutive world championships and winning Paralympic gold in the F46 Javelin at the Rio Paralympics and this summer she will be heading to Paris for her fifth Paralympic Games.
Now, the girl who grew up in Grimsby wants to inspire the younger generation to get into sport with the help of an upcoming Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre exhibition.
The Hometown Heroes event will be held in the centre’s Muriel Baker gallery from Saturday, 20 July, to Tuesday, 31 December, taking a look at the wonderful sporting stars North East Lincolnshire has produced over the decades.
For Hollie, being asked to be a part of the prestigious exhibition came as a shock. “When it was mentioned I wondered why they would want me. It’s an absolute privilege and a pleasure to be a part of it though.
“It’s incredibly humbling to think what I have done is going to be sat next to some great sporting icons of our time too, but it’s such a brilliant way to celebrate the sporting achievements of local people.”
One of those people is teammate and fellow Grimbarian Zac Shaw. Zac is a successful paralympic athlete in his own right, also winning accolades on the world stage.
Hollie added: “It’s great being with Zac. It would have been really daunting for him when he first came into the GB team, but as soon as he spoke I knew he was from Grimsby.
“It was great to offer him support and welcome him, I’m so proud of what he has achieved so far.
“Additionally, it’s so lovely to have two Grimbarians on the team.” Despite a rigorous training plan in preparation for the upcoming Paralympics, Hollie tries to make the trip back to North East Lincolnshire whenever she can.
“I love coming home to see my family and friends, especially my grandparents. It’s also good to get some proper fish and chips, nobody does it like us.” Speaking about the upcoming exhibition, Hollie can’t wait to see it for herself.
“I really want to come and see what everything looks like. It’s great to see such a strong representation for sport from just our area. We should all be so proud of what we’ve achieved.”
She added: “Although, it will be very strange to see myself in there. I don’t see myself as an important person, I’m just Hollie. However, it will be an honour to be a part of it and for people to learn about what I have done.
“I’m just a girl from Grimsby who made my dream of representing her country come true.”
Additionally, she hopes the younger generation can follow in some of the exhibitors footsteps when they come to see what’s on show.
“I hope the exhibition will show people what possibilities are available around here for abled and disabled people and inspire them to follow their dreams.
“I started at Cleethorpes Athletics Club before moving to Wales to follow my goals and with hard work you can make it happen.
“I was never academic at school, but sport was my passion and it made me feel happy as well as invincible. I just wanted to keep exploring that avenue and I hope that’s what we can pass on to those people coming to the exhibition.”
However, there are two people that Hollie thanks for helping her get to where she is today.
“None of this would be possible without my parents. From moving to Wales to taking me here, there and everywhere, I wouldn’t have the career I have today without them.”
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