INSPIRATIONAL teenager Lyndon Longhorne was last night named The Northern Echo’s Local Hero of 2009 for overcoming his disabilities and becoming a national swimming champion.
Lyndon’s own hero, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, led the tributes last night to the remarkable 14-year-old from Crook, County Durham.
Lyndon lost both legs and part of an arm after being struck by meningitis when he was a baby.
He came close to death, but is now aiming to compete in the Paralympics in London 2012 after showing incredible ability in the pool.
He only took up swimming last year, but now trains four nights a week and won a gold, four silvers and two bronze medals at the Disabled National Junior Championships in March.
He followed that only last week with two golds in a national competition in Sheffield.
Shearer spoke movingly of Lyndon’s achievements in a video link watched by a 1,000-strong audience – including a host of celebrities – at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield.
The former England star told Lyndon: “You are an inspiration to me. Not only do I think you’ll make it to the Paralympics, but I think you’ll win.”
Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan presented Lyndon with a £500 first prize and a framed Newcastle United shirt signed by Shearer.
One North East and The Northern Echo are also to treat Lyndon and his mother to an all-expenses paid trip to the Olympic park in London.
It was the tenth anniversary of the Local Heroes Awards, which has grown into the biggest celebration of grass roots sport in the region.
The Bannatyne Group was again headline sponsor.
The event raised £5,000 for Sports Aid Northern, which gives grants to youngsters striving to make their way in sport.
ROLL OF HONOUR
LEADING LIGHT AWARD
Sponsored by The Bannatyne Group
ROY COATES
YOUTH AWARD FOR REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT
Sponsored by The Bannatyne Group
LYNDON LONGHORNE
YOUTH AWARD FOR SPORTING EXCELLENCE
Sponsored by The Bannatyne Group
JAMIE ABLEY
YOUTH AWARD FOR MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT
Sponsored by the R&B Group
RACHEL DAVIES
YOUTH AWARD FOR BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE
Sponsored by The Gannett Foundation
DEERNESS GYMNASTICS TUMBLING TEAM
SENIOR AWARD FOR BEST TEAM PERFORMANCE
Sponsored by The Gannett Foundation
CHESTER-LE-STREET CRICKET CLUB
SENIOR AWARD FOR UNSUNG HERO
RAYMOND ARMBRISTER
SENIOR AWARD FOR REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT
Sponsored by Northumbrian Water
GAVIN WALKER
SENIOR AWARD FOR SPORTING EXCELLENCE
SAVANNAH MARSHALL
THE SIR BOBBY ROBSON AMBASSADOR FOR SPORT
AWARD Sponsored by Kingsmill Northern
LIZ NEALE
One North East Award for Business in Sport
TBI SOLICITORS
LOCAL HERO 2009: LYNDON LONGHORNE
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