A determined young Dumbarton kickboxer who was struck down with meningitis, septicaemia and a stroke as a baby is set to take on a gruelling hillwalk challenge to raise funds for his kickboxing school.
John Sutherland, seven, was left visually impaired with paralysis of his right side, hearing problems and language delay disorder after falling critically ill before his first birthday.
However, the boxing-mad youngster refused to let that stop him from achieving his dreams, thanks to Alexandria Kickboxing Academy.
Coaches Stewart Smillie and Lochlan Peddie-Temple helped John earn his first kickboxing belt and have set up a World Championship bout in Ireland later this year, with the generous Renton Language Unit pupil now aiming to give something back to the club.
John, along with his brother Duncan-James and their cousins, will tackle the Sleeping Giant in Kinross next month to raise funds for AKA.
The money raised will be split between installing new equipment in the club’s Leven Street base, and helping with the costs of travelling to the World Championships in Waterford.
Proud mum Amanda Cameron told the Lennox: “I’m really proud of John and proud of the rest of the kids if they manage, or even just for trying to participate.
“Our family has done fundraising before for Robin House in Balloch, we’ve done walks and things for that. So I thought it would be good for the kids to do another walk to help out the Kickboxing Academy.
“I thought it would’ve been good to give John something to aim for. He’s not a good walker, so if he managed to reach the top it would be a great achievement.”
John, who earned his red belt in kickboxing last November, spent six weeks in hospital just before his first birthday after suffering Meningococcal Septicaemia which then caused a stroke.
The stroke left him with paralysis of his right side and severe visual impairments, whilst he lost his hearing due to meningitis and didn’t speak until he turned five.
The combat sports mad youngster, who idolises boxing superstar Tyson Fury, has refused to let his health stand in the way of his dreams, and caught the eye of the head of World Kickboxing during the Scottish Championships earlier this month, earning him the shot of a world title belt.
Before then however he’ll face the Sleeping Giant fundraiser, which Amanda said will be a tough opponent for everyone involved.
She continued: “I think the range from five to eight, so trying to get them all up the hill will be a challenge.
“It’ll be a challenge for all of us! I’m not very good at hillwalking and we’ll have to entertain the kids on the way up, but it’ll be worth it.”
And having already hit their £500 target, Amanda thanked everyone who had supported the boys.
She added: “I’d ask people just to chip in with what they can. Anything is appreciated, and we’d like to say thanks very much to anyone who has already donated because they’ve been a great help.”
To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/duncanjames-and-john-tackle-the-sleeping-giant.
