His illness does not stop him helping others

12:00pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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HAVING Cystic Fibrosis plus a double lung transplant does not stop a Castle teenager helping others enjoy the sport of tae kwon do.

Oliver Rothwell, 19, of Riverside Park, is the latest winner of our Teen of the Month competition.

He is a great example of the tae kwon do tenet of “Indomitable spirit’ and other students recognise this and have a great deal of respect for him.

Ruth Chare, who runs a tae kwon do club in Northwich

The competition has been launched by The Rotary Club of Northwich together with the Northwich Guardian.

Oliver was nominated by Ruth Chare, who runs a tae kwon do club in Northwich.

He was severely ill when he obtained his black belt in 2003.

His achievement was recognised at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s ‘breathing life’ awards the following year.

But unfortunately by this time Oliver was too ill to continue his tae kwon do training and shortly after he had a double lung transplant operation.

The operation was a success and Oliver is now fitter then ever and even winning trophies at national martial arts competitions.

Ruth said: “He is more concerned with the welfare of others than in bemoaning his own lot in life.

“He is a great example of the tae kwon do tenet of “Indomitable spirit’ and other students recognise this and have a great deal of respect for him.

“Oliver is now a volunteer at my club, assisting me in teaching the younger students.

“He has a great rapport with the children and would like eventually to be an instructor himself.”

She added: “I think he deserves to be nominated for your Top Teen award for his enthusiasm and infectious optimism.”

Oliver is going to use his money towards completing his instructor’s course and gaining the necessary qualifications to eventually open his own club.

Is there a teenager (13 to 19) you know who is perhaps a young cares or a sportsperson who encourages others?

Or is there someone who helps others despite suffering ill health, or even a youth leader – the possibilities are endless.

They need not be a star with the greatest cricket score but someone who will go that extra mile and be in accord with the Rotary motto, Service above Self.

A prize of £100 will be awarded each month to the young person whom the Guardian and Rotary Club consider best meets our requirements to be Teenager of the Month and be a role model for other young people.

At the end of the year readers will have the chance to vote for the most outstanding young person who will become Teenager of the Year and win £500.