Speedy Swaffham teenager Aaron Pitt is a rising star in the athletics world – and his success is all the more remarkable because he has diabetes.

He has made rapid strides in the sport, and his ambition is now to run for England and participate in the 2016 Olympics, writes Viv Thomas.

The 15-year-old Hamond’s High School pupil has found most success at 400m but can race any distance from 100m to 800m.

He has been earmarked as one of the country’s best young athletes by double Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes.

He attended her prestigious training camp last year – and has been invited to go again in April this year.

“She’s definitely inspirational,” said Aaron. “The advice she gives is brilliant. She demonstrates activities and then comes round and gives you tips what to do.”

He also cited sprinter Usain Bolt as a sporting hero, however it’s Steve Redgrave who provides most inspiration for him because the legendary Olympic rower also has diabetes.

Aaron was diagnosed with the condition in 2009. “For a short time this got me down while I came to terms with living the rest of my life with this disease,” he said.

“However, I quickly got myself back into normal everyday life and inspired by other diabetes sufferers, such as Sir Steven Redgrave, I was determined not to feel sorry for myself and wasn’t going to live my life under the cloud of diabetes.”

“Three months after I was originally diagnosed I participated in an athletics competition at my school, which I really enjoyed. This ultimately led me to representing my county at the English Schools Championships in Sheffield and finishing second in only my fourth competitive 800m race.

“At the end of the 2009 season I’d run times good enough to see me ranked eighth in the country for the 800m and second in the 400m.

“In 2010 I decided to concentrate more on the 400m and saw myself becoming English schools champion and AAA’s champion and running a new PB of 49.9 which saw me become the eighth-ever U15 to go sub- 50. I also ran a new PB of 23.0 in the 200m which ranked me seventh in the UK.”

Aaron was voted U15 athlete of the year by his club, City of Norwich AC – deserved recognition for this talented young athlete who won 23 out of 30 races over the distances of 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m.

Short term, Aaron is aiming to get to the final of the English Schools this year and be top of the UK rankings in the next few years in 400m, and 800m too.

And his long-term ambition? “To run for England in the Olympics or Commonwealth, definitely.”

n If you want to be part of Aaron’s success story, you can be – for he is looking for sponsorship.

He needs help with travel expenses going to training in Norwich three times a week and to compete in events all over the country, buying training and competition equipment, and sports drinks (vital with his diabetes).

If you can help, phone John Pitt on 07831 219212.