HEREFORDSHIRE Paralympian stars Sascha and Nyree Kindred have been mixing with royalty as they continue their build-up to London 2012.

The medal-hopefuls were at a charity fundraiser in London where they were flanked by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“Kate was sat next to me and William was on Nyree’s left,”

said Sascha.

“They are very down-to-earth people and we just chatted about normal, everyday things.

“It was an event at the Royal Albert Hall and was a fundraiser for the Olympics and Paralympics called Our Greatest Team Rises.

“The entertainment was provided by Gary Barlow and John Bishop.”

Sascha has also been taking part in some of the publicity provided for London 2012 with the latest being a spectacular poster showing some of the aquatic stars in the British team.

Waterpolo captain Fran Leighton, diver Tom Daley, pool swimmer Rebecca Adlington, open water swimmer Keri-Anne Payne and synchronised swimmer Katie Dawkins all feature alongside the Hereford star.

“All of the rest of the people in the picture are world champions,”

he said. “I went to London for the shoot at the same time as Katie Dawkins and they made the picture up from all the images.”

While such events are welcome occasional distractions, the main focus is on preparing for the Paralympics.

“It is not long to go now and we are looking forward to it,” said Sascha.

“We have had a chance to swim in the Aquatic Centre and to feel the atmosphere. That experience helps. But apart from that we are just working with our coach Emma Patrick and trying different things in training.

“We are also going away on a training session with British Swimming in Majorca. They aim to get the team together regularly and it’s good for bonding.”

The pair will be swimming in their last competition before the Paralympics at Sheffield at the end of July.

But today (Thursday), Sascha and Nyree turn into supporting mode, but again with an Olympic connection.

“Our coach Emma Patrick is one of the Olympic Torchbearers in Ludlow so we will be going along to support her,” he said.