“I just wanted to thank you for being so inspirational for so many young people tonight. My nephew is amazing and doesn’t see that he cant do anything but he lives in a world most of the time where people understand he is autistic. It is when he faces people who don’t know him that sometimes things become a struggle as he doesn’t know why people judge him and take away his self esteem. Tonight he stood up as a young man and was told by people like you who have done so much worth their life that just being him was an achievement. Thank you so much, you are an inspiration and I must also add that your warmth towards every single young person there was touching and admirable.”Anna (Aunt of Jack Petchey award recipient)“Danny Crates gave an inspirational opening to the annual Conference for Suffolk Primary Headteachers. The theme was ‘Leading in Adversity’ and Danny’s message was clear; adversity provides opportunity.
How do you loose an arm at the age of 21 and see it as an opportunity? Danny told his story and showed how, from the time of the accident, he re-built his life to become a successful rugby player and subsequently a world class champion athlete.
His passion and belief were compelling and he constantly had to wait for the headteachers’ applause to settle before continuing to speak after showing some of the film clips of his great sporting achievements.
He set his story around the need to have; goals, plans, influential people, trust and passion. He demonstrated all brilliantly.
I still have his picture beside my desk and use it regularly to remind myself that the difficult staffing issue and budget deficit I am currently dealing with provide opportunities………..it’s a whole new way of looking at adversity.
Thank you Danny, you were and are wonderful!”
Mick Meadows
Head of Workforce Development
Suffolk Children & Young People’s Services
Danny was an exceptional speaker whose message was inspiring to all the young people that attended our Year 11 into 12 Induction. He obviously took the time to familiarise himself with the key messages we wanted conveyed and integrated them into his presentation. Danny related well to the students fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect. He was approachable at the end of the presentation allowing himself to be photographed with small groups of students. I would recommend Danny to any individuals who would like to host a similar event.
Dave Pearce, Welwyn & Hatfield Consortium
“Thank you so much for one of the best presentations we’ve ever had at an Awards Evening in the 19 years I’ve been here! You had the audience hanging on your every word. Feedback today from everyone was excellent, with words such as overwhelming, inspirational and emotional, to name just a few. Your natural approach was engaging and showed great warmth to everybody which made the evening especially memorable. Thank you again.”
- David Franklin (Chelmer Valley)
What were the best bits?
“The talk from Dan, absolutely brilliant.” x 6
“Danny Crates definitely – I thought he was really inspirational and a great person to have had on the day, very uplifting.”
“The best bit was the talk given by Danny Crates mainly because he was extremely motivational and inspiring, his whole attitude towards life works in both achieving business/work related and personal goals.”
“Danny Crates was inspirational!”
“The presentation by Danny Crates was fantastic, very inspiring and I think made us feel proud to be sponsoring the Paralympics.”
“Danny made the day for me.”
What is your main ‘takeaway’ from the day?
“The talk from Danny Crates and the great opportunities our Paralympic sponsorship deal offers us.”
“Some of the comments from Danny on Goal setting were very inspiring.”
“I walked away from that day feeling motivated and inspired because of Danny Crates. I was floored by his speech and all the obstacles and triumphs he experienced and it made me question my beliefs and attitude towards life.”
“I definitely walked away thinking ‘never give up on anyone or anything’ and to always believe in yourself even if others don’t.”
“The inspiring talk by Danny Crates encouraged us to have goals but take a realistic approach and not be put off or disheartened by setbacks.”
““My main take away from the day was the presentation by Danny Crates. It was a very inspirational and moving presentation that he gave us.”
Sainsbury’s Corporate Services Away Day
“Danny is an absolute gem. His professionalism and passion for sport shines through not only his presentation but also in conversations with his audience/attendees. I’ve been involved in sport at many levels and in many different environments and I must say that Danny is the most inspiring athlete I have met – he is a true gentleman and a great ambassador for Sport.”
- Janine Beacher City & Guilds
“Danny was an inspiration to everyone at the conference. Out of 900 people, Danny got 98.9% score which was the highest we have ever had.”
- Airwave conference (Celtic Manor 2009)
“Danny was inspirational. Whether talking to children or presenting to adults he had the audience riveted, and we have already received a number of requests from other organisations keen to work with him.”
-Bob Diamond Medway 2012 Manager Jan 2007
“Danny Crates simultaneously charmed and inspired our audience by sharing with us the seriousness of his tenacity and will to succeed with sparkle and a terrific sense of humour! He is an inspiring and professional speaker and shows great intuition in matching the environment as a speaker. He has a wonderful personality that comes through during his speech and his contact with the audience following the speech. Feedback from our participants was overwhelmingly positive!”
-Brydie Lear GOLD (Global Organisational Leadership development) Program Coordinator Atos Origin International BV Sept 2006
“Danny always presents a very positive picture of competing at international level, and captures the audience throughout the presentation with strong messages about participation in sport. He is always well prepared for each event and can be flexible and adaptable if needed. His content and delivery are always excellent and we will be using him again!”
-Russell Everard Braintree District Council October 2006
“Danny Crates – great! Worth the whole day. Please find more like this – not education, just pure inspiration – superb!!”
-Essex Primary Headteachers Association March 2006
“Danny offered an inspirational and personal insight into the Olympic Experience. He was able to contextualise the event in terms of the benefits that London 2012 may bring to Colchester its people and its communities He was adaptable and understood the context and depth of presentation required.”
-Colchester 2020 Assembly March 2006
“Danny was a reliable honest interesting a truly inspirational speaker who engaged the audience with humour , interest while delivering the messages we asked of him. Great person to have at any event we would certainly recommend him to others.”
-The Chelmsford Partnership April 2006
“Compelling, has the ability to deliver a serious message with humour and sensitivity.”
-Essex Police, Hate Crime Menace in Society Campaign Launch
“In 45 minutes Danny inspired, motivated and won the admiration of our students. His positive attitude, determination, commitment to his sport and sense of fun shone through in his presentation. We will definitely invite him back again.”
-Oldham College, August 2005
“Danny was warm, down to earth and approachable. His presentation held the attention of children and adults alike, and was entertaining and inspiring to listen to. Danny’s obvious enjoyment of life and sport shone through as did his positive attitude and we couldn’t have been more impressed.”
-Eureka. The Museum for Children Discovery July 2005
“Danny was excellent.” -quote from one of the attendees
“Danny Crates was awesome and very motivational for the young athletes.”
-Thurrock Council Sports Awards Evening July 2005
“Thank you for your most entertaining and enthralling after dinner speech. Over the years we have had a variety of speakers, current high performers ex athletes who are now TV/Radio commentators: but never one with such a bright and vital style.”
-Woodford Green Athletic Club 2004
“Your address was powerful, humorous positive, and you reinforced the belief that no disability or hardship is a reason to give up.”
-Connexions and Careers Management Conference 2004
“Marvellous, Compelling, Charming.”
-BBC Correspondent Nicholas Witchell 2004
“Danny was superb, he was able to lighten the mood without deflecting from the serious message, we would like to use him again and again.”
-Scope‘Tell it like it is’ Launch 2003
“His Natural enthusiasm energy and embrace for life shines through and I found him very inspirational.”
-Lesley Morris Attitudesspecialist in performance management at the Business and Professional Women UK Limited launch 2003