A YOUNGSTER who relies mainly on a wheelchair is determined to complete a walking challenge to support equal opportunities.

Ripon Grammar School students are joining together in a sponsored run and walk between now and Christmas Day to support the charity set up in memory of Stephen Lawrence, who was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack in 1993.

One of the pupils taking part, Oliver Robinson, was born with a rare congenital disorder which means he mostly uses wheelchair to get around school.

However, he plans to walk a mile using his frame, taking rests in between.

The 15-year-old from outside Ripon, who suffers from arthrogryposis, meaning his arm and leg joints are contracted, can walk for a few hundred yards at a time with the aid.

He will be joining the 24 students in his form, along with form tutor Richard Grime, in aiming to raise £500 for the school’s chosen charity, Blueprint for All, committed to ensuring young people from all backgrounds have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Oliver said: “It’s going to be very difficult for me. I get really tired very easily and it takes quite a lot out of me.

"I will have to stop and have a rest every so often. I plan to do it down my lane at home, stopping to have regular breaks."

He added: “I believe everyone should have the same opportunities and wanted to be a part of raising money for this cause.”