Dream Olympics trip for allergy boy
Tuesday February 9, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

Tom Walsh, 14, was chosen by fast food giant McDonald's as a 'Champion Kid', meaning he will travel to Vancouver on an all-expenses-paid trip, because of his passion for winter sports.

His severe allergy to grass, once left him medically dead for a few seconds, has made it impossible for him to take part in field sports.  So instead,Tom became a snowboarding, skiing and ice-skating fanatic.

"I'm so excited.It's going to be great. My allergy's just a bit ridiculous and stops me doing a lot of stuff," said Tom.

"Once when I was nine, I'd spent a day with my grandad out in some fields and when I got home I just couldn't breathe. I passed out and the next thing I knew I woke up in hospital. Apparently I'd died for a few seconds, but they resuscitated me back to life. I think I was pretty scared but I can't remember much of it."

Tom and just one other child from the UK, Nicola Ritchie, were chosen by McDonald's, a Worldwide Olympic Partner for the 2010 Winter Games, to give young winter sports enthusiasts the chance to experience the Games for themselves.

He will fly to Vancouver during the second week of the Olympic Winter Games, from February 20 to 23, and as well as meeting athletes and watching events will write a diary of his experiences and take part in snowboard-related activities.

He has already visited the official kitting-out ceremony for competing Great Britain athletes as well as the official GB kit launch, which took place at Somerset House in London.

Tom said his Mum nominated him for the scheme, after she heard about it on the radio.

Wanting to make sure Tom's rare grass allergy didn't get in the way of him being a normal child, she looked for alternatives to football and rugby and started taking him to Plymouth dry ski slope from an early age.

It was there that Tom quickly grew to love winter sports.

McDonald's spokesperson Alastair Marks said: "The McDonald's Champion Kids programme is giving budding young winter sports enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The Olympic Winter Games is a great sporting occasion, and it's fantastic that as an Olympic Partner McDonald's can give these youngsters an experience they'll never forget," said McDonald's spokesperson, Alastair Marks.

"So far I have met some of Team GB and I'm counting down the days until we fly to Vancouver. I just can't wait to be at the Olympic Winter Games, it's going to be a fantastic trip," Tom added.

We wish him all the very, very best here at PlanetSKI.

Bookmark this page

Related Articles