Ambitious Adam’s message of hope

Inspirational . . . Adam Howard, who stars in the Greater Manchester poster campaign

The ambition is first an England vest, next the Olympics 2016, for Counthill pupil Adam Howard.

And the challenges the 14-year-old Oldhamer has set himself are bound to inspire other scholars when he features in posters displayed across the region.

Adam, a middle-distance runner with East Cheshire Harriers, is currently the UK’s best runner in his age group.

He said: “If you win the English schools’ title you get your vest and run for England. I’m training really hard for this which happens next April.”

He is also working towards his GCSEs and added: “I’m going to study really hard so that I can go on to Hopwood Hall College which specialises in sports.

“One day I dream of winning gold and doing a lap of honour as well as standing on the podium proudly singing the national anthem.”

Not everything comes easy to Adam, who is dyslexic, but he added: “I struggle with English. My school has supported me to try and overcome this by giving me access to a laptop which helps me with my spelling.”

Adam was entered into the poster campaign by his head teacher, David Lack, who encouraged him to get involved.

Adam said: “I’ve never done anything like this before and saw this as an opportunity to inspire others to do what they love. If I don’t make it as a runner I know I need to have my grades to fall back on. You need to have a good education to do anything.”

The campaign is part of the Greater Manchester Challenge, a partnership between the Department for Children, Schools and Families and local authorities.