Para-swimming prodigy Isabel Dean has taken inspiration from the best of British as she bids to surge back from adversity.

The Hinckley 14-year-old planned to end 2018 by topping the bill at winter nationals but in November was told repeated ear infections, known as ‘swimmers ear’, would keep her out for six months.

Determined to pursue her Paralympic ambitions, Dean looks to the feats of Great Britain at the 2018 European para-swimming Championships – to the tune of 20 gold and 55 overall medals.

Maisie Summers-Newton, who raced to triple gold in Dublin, is just two years ahead of Dean and the youngsters is buoyed by her example in the midst of struggle.

“This year has been a real learning experience for me,” she said.

“I started the year on track and being told I couldn’t swim was difficult. I had to learn to get back on my feet and what training I could do at home to get ready to go back in the pool.

“Unless there are any further problems, I can swim again in April. The main issues have gone now so it’s about preventing more infections – in the meantime I’ll be trying to build up my core strength.

“It’ll take a while to get back used to the water but I should be back competing from May.

“It’s very encouraging to see how well the team are doing. The Paralympics weren’t something I realised were a possibility until people around me started to mention it.

“It was really encouraging to see what Maisie did and I’m proud for all of them.”

Dean’s cause is also being helped by The Nottingham Building Society, who are teaming up with charity SportsAid to support 50 local athletes as they try to find their ‘time to shine’, with each receiving £750 of funding.

Having already donated £240,000 to SportsAid to help athletes buy equipment, travel to events and receive the training they need to be the best they can, The Nottingham Building Society are now also helping athletes on the path to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, and beyond.

Dean was one of 15 SportsAid-supported stars to attend a fun-filled Christmas celebration at The Nottingham’s city HQ, helping celebrate and bring the ongoing partnership to life.

Four top ice hockey aces from The Nottingham Panthers were in attendance to offer their advice to the upcoming athletes, while among activities was a Kit Challenge and Wheel of Fortune.

Dean was delighted to play her part in a memorable evening and being tasked with hauling on a full set of ice hockey kit against the clock was one she relished.

“It was great to help celebrate a year’s work with SportsAid,” she said.

“The funding is obviously very useful but there’s a real sense of community as well and that comes out on a night like tonight.

“Putting the ice hockey kit on was interesting, certainly! I had no idea how heavy it was and I was much smaller than most of the others there.

“It was great to hear from the Panthers players and they spoke about topics like sleep and mental health that I’ve learnt are really big in life as well as sport.”

Nottingham Building Society and Harrison Murray teamed up with SportsAid in 2013 to help future sports stars get their time to shine. Visit thenottingham.com to find out more.