A HOLYWELL five-year-old has been shortlisted in the Amplifon Brave Britons Finals for 2022.

Albie-Junior Thomas was shortlisted after becoming the youngest person ever to scale Mount Snowdon – despite having a prosthetic left leg.

He will now compete amongst the final four in the Young Hero category in global hearing specialist Amplifon’s search for the ‘Best of British’ heroes.

The virtual awards presentation will take place on Tuesday, October 11 hosted by BBC Radio and TV presenter, Rachel Burden and Falklands war hero, Simon Weston.

Albie was born with a condition known as fibula hemimelia, a partial or total absence of the fibula bone in the calf.

It left dad Daniel, who is currently serving as town councillor in Holywell, and mum Rachel, with the decision of either having his left leg amputated or extended by pinning over a series of operations taking years. They opted for the amputation – but it’s never held him back.

Daniel gave up his joinery business and became a personal trainer and running coach when Albie-Junior was born to enable him to work around his son’s needs and give him better chances in life. To further understand those needs he is now studying sports therapy at university.

READ MORE: Paddy Doherty, Holywell town councillor and son to take on Ben Nevis

Albie is one of five children, with brothers Maxwell, 16, and Blake, 11, and sisters Grace, 12, and Sienna, seven.

Daniel said: “When Albie came out of hospital, I said I’m going to get him in the Paralympics – there’s nothing he can’t achieve. I’m so proud of him but I don’t think he realises how amazing he is. He just gets on with it and, when his blade is on, he’s just unbelievable.”

The challenges don’t stop there for Albie and his dad, as they are currently preparing to undertake a potential record-breaking climb up Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis next month alongside family friend and celebrity, Paddy Doherty in aid of Cancer Research and to help fund a new community centre in Holywell. 

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