A TALENTED teenager has beaten all the odds to excel at the sport he loves - and has been rewarded with a place in the national squad.

However, Daniel Ashall (15), who is confined to a wheelchair, may not get the chance to compete unless he and his family can raise the money needed for a new chair.

The Cowley High pupil, from King Edward Road, Dentons Green, has been playing basketball for two-and-a-half years now and two years ago, he became the youngest player ever to hold a basketball licence.

Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, winning numerous awards with his local club, the Meteors, as well as a special prize for Most Valuable Young Player in Britain.

His proud grandmother, Jean Jackson, told the Star: "He absolutely loves the sport and has done remarkably well already considering the fact that he has been playing for such a short time. The Meteors, who hold some of their practice sessions at Sutton Leisure Centre, recently won the Third Division Championships and have now been promoted. He was also selected to play in the Great Britain Juniors team last season and helped them win the National Cup and more recently, he passed his coaching exams, making him the youngest qualified coach in the country."

Daniel has now been called up to represent his country again at the World Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships next month in Toronto, Canada.

However, this poses a problem for him, as grandfather, Peter, explained: "Daniel's wheelchair is a bit the worse for wear at the moment and I can't see it lasting out for the two weeks he is in Canada. However, we have been told that sports wheelchairs can cost up to £2,000 and we certainly haven't got that kind of money on us. So Daniel is now in the process of writing to local businesses asking for sponsorship and the Meteors are also frantically trying to raise the money in time for next month when they go."

If you would like to help Daniel in his quest to raise the money, you can contact Jean and Peter on St Helens 451138.

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