Joe Lipworth

Joe spent most of his early life in and out of hospitals with nephrotic syndrome. When he was young Jonah Lomu took the time to write to Joe and told him to do all that he was told and not let his illness get to him. Joe was inspired by Jonah Lomu`s achievements on the rugby pitch, despite his nephrotic syndrome and although he has never met him, he has watched him play several times. While still at primary school, Joe used to accompany his friends to swimming lessons with their mum who looked after him after school, and he was spotted as being quite good. It was suggested he might like to join a swimming club - he did, and found that this was something he could shine at. Joe has gone from strength to strength not only in his sport, but in the confidence that this has given him. He holds two age group records for swimming in Scotland, winning the UK school games in his event 2 years ago. This year, he has got a sport scholarship to university to continue his swim training. From a terrible start in life and spending the first 10 years of his life in and out of hospital, Joe has overcome all his problems to achieve in his sport and has made swimming something `cool` to do amongst the kids at his school. He was inspired by Jonah Lomu to try and be the best that he can be and not let his illness hold him back, and perhaps his story can inspire others to do the same and achieve their full potential through sport.