jack the champion

Having muscular dystrophy has never held Jack Franklin back. The 15-year-old from Brough has just been named WWE Community Champion for Yorkshire and has also been chosen to carry the Olympic flame on its route through Hull.

Jack, who suffers from was nominated to carry the flame by South Hunsley School, where he is a pupil, for his courage and determination in overcoming gruelling operations while continuing to raise awareness of MD. His efforts have seen him crowned as young fundraiser of the year for the Muscular Dystrophy campaign.

“I am very proud to have been chosen as are my parents and I hope it makes people see me as a person and what I can achieve rather than my condition, which is something I aim to raise awareness of for all of those who have MD.”

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And yesterday it was revealed that Jack has received another honour, being named Yorkshire’s “2012 WWE Community Champion”.

Jack was nominated by staff from across the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, for his incredible positive attitude, and his help in fundraising and campaigning to support people in Yorkshire affected by muscle-wasting conditions. Gary Kernahan, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Head of Volunteer Fundraising, said: “Jack’s vitality and positive outlook on life are inspirational. When we asked Jack to tell his story to our supporters and to describe how he never allows his condition to prevent him from living life to the full, we received an incredible response.

“His positive attitude struck a chord with the public, who donated over £17,500 towards support and equipment for people affected by muscular dystrophy, as well as research into the first treatment for the conditions. Jack continues to demonstrate to young people with muscular dystrophy that life is there for the taking, and does all he can to help the thousands of other people in Yorkshire living with muscle-wasting conditions. He is truly a Community Champion.”

The WWE Community Champions initiative, which first launched in the UK in 2011, aims to encourage young people across the UK to volunteer or fundraise for the charity to have the chance of winning the accolade of “WWE Community Champion” and to meet a WWE Superstar if named the national winner.

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In recognition of his outstanding achievement, Jack won tickets to the WrestleMania Revenge Tour in Sheffield

“I really do love living my life to the full. If a treatment could be found for muscular dystrophy, I know that would make my life and that of everyone else living with the condition a lot better.”

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