An inspiring Dumbarton kickboxer who has defied medics to fight for a world title belt has helped raise more than £500 for the club who have supported him - with a little help from his cousins and brother.
Seven-year-old John Sutherland was left visually impaired with paralysis of his right side, hearing problems and language delay disorder after falling critically ill before his first birthday.
John, who earned his red belt in kickboxing last November, spent six weeks in hospital after suffering Meningococcal Septicaemia which then caused a stroke.
The stroke left him with paralysis of his right side and severe visual impairments, whilst he lost his hearing due to meningitis and didn’t speak until he turned five.
However, the combat sports-mad youngster, who idolises Tyson Fury, refused to let that stop him from achieving his dreams - thanks to coaches Stewart Smillie and Lochlan Peddie-Temple at Alexandria Kickboxing Academy (AKA).
They helped John earn his first belt and have set up a World Championship bout in Ireland later this year, with the generous Renton Language Unit pupil determined to give something back to the club.
John, along with younger brother Duncan-James, five, and cousins Peter and John-James Brown, tackled Sleeping Giant in Kinross to raise funds for AKA.
The money raised will be split between installing new equipment in the club’s Leven Street base, and helping with the costs of travelling to the World Championships in Waterford.
And John’s mum, Amanda Sutherland, said she was blown away by how the boys supported each other during their trek.
Amanda told the Lennox: “They did really well. John struggled a wee bit at times but his cousin John-James, who has autism, kept saying ‘it’s okay John, keep going. We are winning this for you and for your kickboxing club’.
“He was always encouraging him which I thought was absolutely amazing.
“There were parts where I was struggling doing the walk, but it really just shows how resilient the kids are.
“One with cerebral palsy and one with autism and they were encouraging each other to raise money for a good cause.
“They knew they weren’t getting anything out of it, but they were so excited to be helping out.”
In total, the boys raised £545 - smashing their £500 target. To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/duncanjames-and-john-tackle-the-sleeping-giant
Amanda added: “Anything is appreciated, and we’d like to say thanks very much to anyone who has already donated because they’ve been a great help.”
