‘There’s no stopping our own sporting hero’ (From Surrey Comet)

‘There’s no stopping our own sporting hero’

10:27am Friday 31st March 2006

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A Chessington schoolboy with brittle bone disease will take part in the London mini-marathon next month.

After a hard year in 2005 in which he broke both his legs and had a number of other problems associated with the disease such a task seemed a million miles away for nine-year-old Jack Binstead.

But after making a hard-fought recovery, Jack was spotted by a member of Velocity, a Kingston-based wheelchair athletics club for people with disabilities and special needs, and was invited to take part.

After a few training sessions and time trials at Kingsmeadow Stadium, Jack was not only accepted into the club, which includes an Olympic medal winner in its number, but was also asked to take part in the London Mini Marathon.

His mum Penny said: "He started training just after Christmas and qualified two weeks ago. It's a really good achievement for him after what happened last year which was a real setback.

"His whole body shape has changed. He put on weight last year because he was immobile. I'm very proud of him, it's so nice seeing him train and wanting to do something."

Jack attends St Mary's School in Church Lane, Chessington, and still loves his time there, but now has another string to his bow, training on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on Saturday mornings.

Penny said: "Since he's joined he has been part of something where everybody is the same as him. He's not having to battle against people who are able- bodied.

"They have taught him that life does not stop because you are in a wheelchair.

"He looks up to them and he's now got so much more enthusiasm going around our house."

The mini-marathon normally accepts ages 11 to 17, but made an exception in Jack's case because of his upper-body strength and ability to compete.

Last year Kingston took a 48-strong team to the event, which takes place over 2.56 miles of the actual marathon course.

Jack is taking part to raise money for Velocity.

Anyone wanting to donate should call Irene Binstead on 020 8393 7388.

drankin@london.newsquest.co.uk

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