Paralympic Gold Medallist Naomi Clark-Riches MBE Inspires Families at The Marlow Riley Park Nursery

Families from across Marlow came together for a special community event at The Marlow Riley Park Day Nursery this May, with Paralympic gold medallist Naomi Riches MBE officially cutting the ribbon alongside Marlow Deputy Mayor Olwen Elliott. The nursery which is part of the Family First group has been part of the local community since January 2025.  

The event welcomed existing and prospective families to explore the nursery, meet the team and enjoy a range of children’s activities including face painting, games and interactive play sessions. 

The highlight of the day saw Naomi Clark-Riches MBE - one of Britain’s most inspiring Paralympic athletes, who lives locally in Marlow and whose iconic gold post box stands in the town in recognition of her Paralympic success - officially open the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating the nursery’s commitment to creating an inclusive and aspirational environment where every child can thrive. 

Born visually impaired, Naomi overcame significant challenges to become a Paralympic rowing champion and gold medallist, and her visit brought an especially powerful message of confidence, resilience and possibility for children and families attending the event. 

Kirsty Colley, Nursery Development Manager at The Marlow Riley Park, said: 

“We were incredibly proud to welcome Naomi Clark-Riches MBE and Deputy Mayor Olwen Elliott to our event. Seeing children and families engage with someone as inspiring as Naomi created such a positive atmosphere throughout the day. 

“At The Marlow Riley Park, we believe every child should feel confident, included and excited about their future, and the event was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the nurturing and welcoming environment we create for families every day.” 

Emily Burgess, Director of Early Years at Family First Nurseries, added: 

“Early years education plays such a vital role in helping children develop confidence, curiosity and self-belief from the very beginning. Having Naomi Clark-Riches MBE join us for this event perfectly reflected the values we want children to grow up with - resilience, aspiration and the understanding that everyone has the potential to achieve incredible things. 

“Our nurseries are designed to be places where families feel part of a community, and it was fantastic to see so many existing and prospective parents enjoying the day together.”

Deputy Mayor Olwen Elliott also joined families and staff during the celebration, recognising the important role early years settings play in supporting local families and the wider community. 

The event comes at a time of increasing national attention on early childhood development, inclusion and school readiness, with growing recognition across the education sector of the importance of nurturing children’s confidence, communication and wellbeing from the earliest years. 

The Marlow Riley Park Day Nursery is part of Family First Nurseries, a group dedicated to creating enriching early years environments where children are encouraged to learn through play, exploration and meaningful experiences.