Golden boy Callum Hanslip has notched up seven gold and two silver medals - and smashed six British records at the BT national junior swimming championships.

Fifteen-year-old Callum, a pupil at Dycorts School in Harold Hill, now has his sights set on a gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic games.

Before that he will be jetting off to Sweden for the international open championships.

And he is hoping to take part in the US open championships in Minneapolis later in the year.

Callum will be training under the expert eyes of Maurice Sly, a former able bodied coach of the British national, international, European, Commonwealth, world and Olympic squads.

His gruelling training covers 40,000 metres of the pool each week over six days and two sessions of weights in the gym.

Callum was paralysed down his right side after falling out of a window 20 feet up when he was 18-months-old but his determination to succeed meant he learned to overcome his problems.

Callum is no stranger to awards - he has won more than 158 swimming medals and trophies. This latest triumph was at the BT championships held at Darlington at the weekend.

He was named as a child of achievement in 1998 and presented with his award by former Prime Minister John Major.

He won a national Champion Children Triumph Over Adversity award in 1997 and was nominated for the Havering Young Citizen of the year award in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Callum's dad, Ken Hanslip, said: "He is really dedicated to his sport. We are so proud of his achievements. Making the squad for the Sydney 2000 Paralypmics would be a dream come true for him."

Callum is looking for sponsors to meet his costs for the US open championships. If you can help, contact Ken on 01708 556778.

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