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Staplehurst Monarchs FC cheer own disabled Owen West as he does a lap of pitch

Disabled teenager Owen West has made a guest appearance at a FA Vase League football match.

The visit was a big excitement for Owen, from Staplehurst, himself a keen sportsman, who plays wheelchair basketball for the Folkestone Arrows and wheelchair rugby for the Canterbury Hellfires.

Owen West flanked by first team manager Paul Atkins and club chairman Nicola Stonebridge
Owen West flanked by first team manager Paul Atkins and club chairman Nicola Stonebridge

The 19-year-old who suffers from severe disabilities brought on by three rare genetic conditions, last month achieved some celebrity in his home village of Staplehurst after leading a team of 60 disabled youngsters across the country in a Super Heroes Challenge to collectively travel the circumference of the globe - 40,750km - in just a month.

Owen, who has a spinal condition, contributed 45km in his wheelchair while dressed as Captain America.

But since then, he has kept going in a bid to raise more money for his good causes: the Whizz-Kidz charity and Freedom For Wheels, both of which have supported him through his difficulties.

On Saturday, he was invited by Staplehurst Monarchs FC to do a lap of the pitch at the Jubilee Field in the village, during half-time in the club's match against Pagham FC.

Nicola Stonebridge, the chairman of Staplehurst Monarchs, said: "It was an absolute honour to have Owen complete his challenge at our FA Vase match.

Owen West from Staplehurst in his Captain America costume
Owen West from Staplehurst in his Captain America costume

She said: "He is an inspiration to us all.

"His determination and perseverance were evident as he took on his lap of the pitch, and it was heart-warming to see his face as the crowd cheered him home.

"Staplehurst Monarchs are proud to support his incredible success."

The match was drawn 2-2 at full time, but Pagham won 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out.

A bucket collection on the day raised £80 and this was match-funded by an anonymous donor in the village.

Monarchs players hold a tape for Owen to break as he completes his circuit
Monarchs players hold a tape for Owen to break as he completes his circuit

You can support Owen's fund-raising via his GoFundMe pages, one for Whizz-Kidz here, and one for Freedom for Wheels here.

Owen was just 15 when doctors discovered that he was suffering from not one, but three, rare genetic disorders: he has type 3 Loeys-Dietz syndrome, KBG Syndrome and CDK13.

As a consequence he is unable to walk, has learning difficulties, is losing his eye-sight and is often in pain.

At the time, he was one of only 12 people in the world diagnosed with CDK13, though that figure has now risen to 229.

KBG Syndrome is even rarer, with fewer than 150 cases in the world. Loeys-Dietz Syndrome is more common, but still rare.

Owen West is a keen sportsman despite his disability (58059841)
Owen West is a keen sportsman despite his disability (58059841)

There are around 334 cases in the UK, that's fewer than one in every 201,000 people.

Freedom for Wheels gave Owen a life-changing wheelchair and funded his physiotherapy through lockdown.

Whizz Kidz gave Owen a set of all-terrain wheels and a free wheel attachment that turns his day chair into an all-terrain chair.

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