PLUCKY Leo McCrea has good reason to be jumping for joy.
The seven-year-old Poole schoolboy has recently taken his medal toll into double figures, an achievement any Olympic star would be happy to emulate.
Leo, diagnosed with dwarfism, won top honours at Birmingham’s National and Open Dwarf Games 2011 – an event attracting around 140 UK athletes.
But the football-mad youngster, who loves a kick around as much as running and swimming, needs support to add to his haul of 10 golds and one silver, achieved from just two appearances at the games.
Proud mum Corinne McCrea explained how the charity responsible for organising the annual games – the Dwarf Sports Association UK – needs funding to keep going.
Speaking from the family’s Broadstone home, Mrs McCrea said: “As Leo is such a sporting fanatic we joined our local dwarf sporting association in Portsmouth.
“He meets other children with the same condition. Dwarfism is such a rare condition there isn’t always a chance to meet other families affected by it and there is a lot of support for parents as well. For Leo, the games have been brilliant, especially for his self-esteem and confidence.”
Leo’s achievements at this year’s games were so good, he won the Margaret Scott Memorial Trophy for Swimmer of the Year.
The youngster posted the fastest swim time in all categories up to and including the under 14s He’s also been offered a chance to attend Poole Swimming Club where he will join much older able-bodied children.
And his nine-year-old sister, Jasmine, works hard to support her younger brother – recently helping mum raise £400 for the charity at an open house event.
Leo, who attends St Mary’s Combined School, said: “I like running a lot as it makes me feel really good.”
Visit dsauk.org to either donate to or find out more and visit restrictedgrowth .co.uk for information.
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