Alex Williams

Alex Williams, age 17, is an inspirational teenager to many of our students and other disabled youngsters across the Tameside area. Alex contracted meningitis when he was 8 which left him with short-term memory loss, partially deaf, and needing a wheelchair. In addition he gets excruciating pains in his legs. This aside Alex began at an early age volunteering in summer camps to help other disabled youngsters play sport, and over the years has continued to inspire others. He is a junior ambassador for sport in the Tameside borough, and is the colleges disability officer. In addition he volunteers his time assisting with the colleges 'Dovestones' (disabled students) each week, coaches at Tameside dance club for the disabled, and finds time to play wheelchair Basketball for Oldham Owls and the North West. In April of this year he was nominated for the News of the World Children's Champion Awards held down in London, where he went on to be a proud winner of the National Sports award, meeting several celebrities and the Prime Minister for his efforts. Furthermore, Alex last year received BBC1's Teen Community Hero Award. Alex really is an inspiration to so many and a role model within college. He would be an ideal candidate to carry the Olympic torch and deserves the chance to shine.