Max Strachan

I would like to nominate my son Maxwell Alexander Strachan, born 30 March 1992, as a possible carrier of the Olympic torch. Max has battled against significant disabilities since he was a child. He developed severe epilepsy at the age of 5 months and was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome the age of six. He had speech and language difficulties as a child which took several years to overcome. Despite these problems he has fashioned a full and inspiring life for himself. His epilepsy is now controlled with the aid of medication, and - despite his Autism - he obtained 11 GCSEs in 2008 and A* and A grades in his A-levels at Durham Johnston School, which he took last year. Max obtained a place at the University of York in 2010, where he is currently a first-year undergraduate studying Mathematics. He is a keen sportsman, and has represented York University at Karate. He has been a scout for many years, holds Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Bronze awards, and will complete the final part of his DoE Gold Award this summer. Max spent last summer in the Himalayas, where he trekked, mountaineered and spent a fortnight helping to build a school in rural India. He is a fine, modest and likeable young man who would be enormously proud to bear the Olympic torch on part of its journey through the UK. John Strachan