A 14-YEAR-OLD swimmer with cerebral palsy is not letting his disability stop him as continues putting in medal-winning performances.

Matthew Davies, who lives in Alderbury and would love to become a paralympic swimmer in the future, hopes his story will inspire others to get involved with sport.

The St Joseph's School pupil is a member of Durrington Otters swimming club and Romsey and Totton Swimming Club (RATS).

This year he was one of the lucky recipients of a Wiltshire Council grant for future Olympians and paralympians.

His biggest achievement to date was being selected as one of the youngest competitors as part of Team England in Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association World Games 2018 in Spain.

He returned triumphant, having won a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke.

Matthew received funding support from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons to get to the Spanish competition.

Team England was made up of 63 disabled athletes swimmers and race runners competing against 25 countries.

Matthew has also competed in county finals in Swindon, regional competitions in Plymouth, and the Cerebral Palsy Sport Nationals in Nottingham and the Junior Para Nationals in Southampton where he medalled in both competitions. He also took part in the British para swimming international meet at Ponds Forge in Sheffield.

The teenager is now looking forward to competing at a para meet in October in the London Aquatic Olympic pool and is confident of qualifying for para nationals in Manchester in December.

Matthew is a pupil at St Joseph's School in Laverstock and in his spare time when he is not in the pool loves being a member of Alderbury Players. He has been cast in the group production of Wizard of Oz.

Matthew says he is "very proud of his medal in Spain and enjoyed being part of Team England, making new friends and being with others with similar aspirations".

He hopes his achievements will inspire others with a disability to get involved in sport. His advice to others is to "keep trying" and "don't listen to negative people".