A young man whose parents were told he would never walk has defied the doctors to become a runner.
Alex Steel is autistic, blind in one eye, deaf in one ear and has mild cerebral palsy.
But he defied the odds and took his first steps aged seven, despite medics warning his parents Andrea and Duncan that it would be beyond him.
Now the 24-year-old of Holly Road South, Wilmslow, is preparing to complete the Wilmslow Half-Marathon on Sunday.
A student at the Royal College Manchester, part of the Seashell Trust, Alex will run with one of his teachers and his dad Duncan.
Duncan said: “He doesn’t want to run with me, probably because I’m his dad, so the pressure will be on because he’ll probably beat me.”
Proud mum Andrea, a keen fell runner, will be among the spectators.
“Alex continues to astound us with what he does,” said Duncan.
“He has defied predictions in virtually everything he’s ever done and is extremely strong willed, which helps him.”
Before the race Alex will enjoy a brush with royalty, welcoming the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to the city as part of their Diamond Jubilee tour of the country.
Alex is one of 1,000 community heroes – or Manchester diamonds – who will perform for the couple as a member of the Signing Hands choir at an urban garden party at Manchester Central on Friday.
The choir, from the Cheadle-based Seashell Trust charity, will use sign language to perform the Manchester Anthem when it is sung by Gorton’s St James’ Primary School choir as the Queen meets the 10 mayors of Greater Manchester in the atrium at Manchester Central.
Alex, is no stranger to mingling with royalty.
Three years ago, while living with his family in New Zealand, he was presented with the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award by Prince Edward who was amazed by how he overcame his disabilities.
