Adam Yuill  inspires us all to live our lives to the full

A disabled teenager skydived 10,000 ft on Sunday, raising more than £1000 to help change the lives of sick and disabled children

after being inspired by his paratrooper brother.

Sixteen-year-old Adam Yuill from Thatcham, Berkshire, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and uses a wheelchair everyday. DMD is a genetic and degenerative disease that causes muscle weakness and eventual paralysis as cells break down and are gradually lost.

His parents and four older brothers, including brother Lance Corporal Ben Yuill of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, cheered him on from the ground as he jumped out of a plane on August 9, at Hinton Airfield, Northamptonshire. Ben, 26, who has completed two posts in Afghanistan and Iraq, drummed up £150 in sponsorship for Adam at his barracks in Colchester.

Following the tandem skydive, Kennet School student Adam said: "It was brilliant, the best experience I've had. Coming out of the plane was exhilarating and I would definitely do it again.

"My family and friends have said I'm crazy! But they are all very proud and I would tell anyone thinking about doing a skydive to go for it because it's a great experience."

Parents Tony and Ruth Yuill were full of pride. Tony said: "As far as we are aware, we all believe Adam may be the first person with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to have done a skydive. Whether he is the first or not, we are so incredibly proud of him."

Adam was raising money for national charity Caudwell Children, who have given him two powered wheelchairs worth £17,000. The first chair helps Adam in everyday life and the second is specifically designed for his passion: powerchair football. Since joining the Gillingham Mean Machine Powerchair Football Team last year, Adam has been awarded "Most Valuable Player" and is the team's leading goal scorer. He has been invited to try out for the national team, which means he might represent England against countries such as Japan and the United States.

Tony said: "He told us he wanted to give something back and help others. He chose Caudwell Children as he knew they help youngsters with all kinds of conditions, not just Duchenne's.

"Since being a small child he has always wanted to do a skydive and doing one while raising money for the charity means the two could come together perfectly."

Trudi Beswick, chief executive officer for Caudwell Children, said "Adam's determination and courage is truly inspirational. He is a mature young man who has set out to test himself and his limits while carrying out something incredibly generous.

"Many of our beneficiaries take on fundraising challenges because they want to express their gratitude and give the opportunity for other sick and disabled youngsters to get the help they have received. We would urge anyone looking for help with funding for treatment, therapy and specialist equipment to contact us immediately."

To date Caudwell Children has donated more than £10 million to thousands of children with 160 medical conditions. It is committed to changing the lives of children by providing individual donations of specialist equipment, treatment and therapy, as well as its annual Destination Dreams holiday for families coping with a child's terminal illness.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Adam can still donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/adamyuill101 or contact Caudwell Children on 0845 300 1348.

For more information about Caudwell Children visit www.caudwellchildren.com.

Natalie Bowen