An Epping boy whose mother was told would never sit, crawl, stand or walk unaided is to carry the Paralympic Torch in the penultimate leg of the route to the Olympic Stadium on 29th August.

16 year old Charles Turrell from James Street in Epping was born severely disabled with cerebral palsy but, thanks to the determination of his family and friends and the support of a national children’s charity, he has improved and achieved things that the medical profession at the time of his birth never thought possible. Although he is still heavily reliant on his wheelchair, Charles is now able to stand and walk short distances. He has been a member of his Scout Troop in Epping for several years and it was with his friends there that he completed a sponsored walk to Wansfell Pike last August.

Mum Carol attributes a lot of his success to bibic (formerly known as British Institute for Brain Injured Children), the charity that has supported Charles and his family for most of his life. She said “I feel indebted to all the bibic team for their understanding, support and guidance over the years. I am so proud of Charles’s achievements and am convinced that he would not be the person he is to-day without bibic”.

Staff and volunteers at the charity were so impressed with Charles’s achievements that they nominated him to carry the flame. Geoff Cummins, interim CEO of bibic said “Charles and his family are an inspiration to us all and we hope that his participation in the Paralympic torch relay will help to show other children and families that with the right support, hard work and determination, anything is possible”.

Charles will carry the torch through Newham, together with his sister Sophie, 15, and members of Epping Scout Troop Annabel Minns, David Charles Ward and Andrew Townhend.