Hywel Jenkins

Hywel achieves against all odds; independence was thrust on him early. His mother has epilepsy; his parents split in 2001, but in 2003 his father tragically died in an accident. Soon afterwards he lost his loving grandfather to cancer. His mother eventually remarried. His stepfather actively supported Hywel's sports but in 2008 was banished; Hywel was loyally supportive of his older sister and mother in very difficult circumstances. Despite losing three male role models in quick succession, he studies and trains steadily. Sports are his anchor. He plays in the Welsh under 17's volleyball squad. He won Gold medal in the Junior Welsh indoor rowing championships, was Llandaff Rugby Club's 2009 Most Improved Player and now represents his school at rugby, volleyball, football, and athletics. With his school team he won a Business Enterprise Award in Wales, representing Wales in the 2010 British finals in London. He gained Grade 6 on drums, raises money by bag-packing in a local supermarket to fund his club and recently did a sponsored row for charity. Having lost his own rugby boots, he now plays in his Dad's precious old ones. Very aware of financial difficulties at home, he shares what he has. He has taken a break from Air Force Cadets to revise for GCSE's, but aims to be an Air Force pilot. This delightful selfless young man who calmly supports other bereaved and traumatised schoolchildren will fundraise to travel anywhere in UK to be a torchbearer.