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Andrew Harper is the latest table tennis player to carry the Olympic Torch, as the coveted Games emblem moves through the north west of England.

He is from Newton-le-Willows, a small market town which is situated about 15 miles from both Manchester and Liverpool.

On Friday 1st June 2012 he carried the Torch through Horwich, a town located in Bolton in Greater Manchester.

A member of Warrington Table Tennis Club, Andrew Harper sets an example to all with his dedicated attitude which makes light of his disability.

Cerebral Palsy
He was born with left hemi cerebral palsy.

“With determination he is now a member of the development squad of the Great Britain Table Tennis Association for the Disabled Team”, explained Karen Tonge M.B.E. and the North West Regional Chair for the English Table Tennis Association.

Overcome Disabilities
“He has learned to overcome his disability; in addition to table tennis he plays the guitar and snooker”, continued Karen Tonge. “He was bullied at school but with his positive attitude he achieved the required the GCSE and Advanced Level results needed to enable him to go to Manchester University to study Mathematics.”

GCSE is the General Certificate of Education which students in England sit usually at the age of 16 years; Advanced Level examinations are usually taken at the 18 years of age and serve primarily as an entrance to university.

Deserved Reward
“Andrew always gives one hundred per cent and to be part of this fantastic event is a well-deserved reward”, added Karen Tonge. “Now aged 20, Andrew has represented the North West Region at United Kingdom School Games where he won Gold in 2007 and became Champion Ambassador in 2009.”

Current Ranking
There is more.

“He is ranked no.7 in Great Britain in Men’s Class 7”, concluded Karen Tonge. “The result is that he has received Talented Athlete Funding.”

Class 7 is a Standing Class, Class 1 to Class 5 is for wheelchair athletes; Class 6 to Class 10 is for standing athletes and Class 11 for those with an intellectual disability.