Teenager in line for Sporting Hero award

4:23pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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A teenager has tirelessly pounded the streets to raise cash for charity - despite suffering from a life-limiting illness himself.

Now David Kitchen is in line for one of our Community Pride awards - in this year's Sporting Hero category - after being nominated by his proud dad.

Although David, 19, suffers from cystic fibrosis he was among some 33,000 fellow competitors - from the professional athletes, to celebrities and members of the public - who took part in this year's London Marathon.

Despite his lung condition, David managed to complete the 26-mile race in less than four hours and raised more than £5,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

David, of Poppleton, York, spent months training and fundraising for the event in April. He suffered a major setback in October last year when he was involved in a serious car crash.

David, who is studying for a degree in aeronautical engineering in Sheffield, was cycling to a lecture when he collided with a taxi and crashed through its windscreen. He needed plastic surgery grafts on his nose, chin and forehead. However, he was soon back on his feet and running again in preparation for the event.

His father, Alan, said David made the best of life despite suffering from cystic fibrosis. He said: "Since David was three weeks old he has taken medicine to help him digest food and had physiotherapy two or three times a day. He is a regular visitor to hospital and for 20 years he has had to swallow up to 60 pills a day.

"If David ever got fed up he never showed it. As a little boy he did all of this without complaint and he has grown into a determined young man."

"It was truly amazing that he finished in less than four hours. He has raised over £5,000 for the cystic fibrosis trust and he has made me and his mum Margaret very proud indeed."

David is one of several people nominated for our Community Pride awards.

To nominate somebody, fill in the entry form (available via link below) and send it to to Paula Homer, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. Alternatively, email us at editor@thepress.co.uk.