Ripon teenager with rare muscle disease 'surprised even herself' with success at football and exams

A determined Ripon teenager living with a life-limiting condition who is an ace at wheelchair football has stunned even herself with an impressive set of GCSE results.

Ellie Renton, 16, who scored the winning penalty in a nail-biting national powerchair football play-off in the middle of the exam season, was delighted to gain a grade 8 in chemistry, three 7s, four 6s and two 5s.

The Ripon Grammar School pupil lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, a condition which weakens her muscles and leaves her vulnerable to serious infections.

Yet, despite repeated hospital stays, antibiotic treatments and missing a week or more of school at a time during flare-ups, the wheelchair user still bagged a stellar haul.

“I worked incredibly hard to fill the gaps in my knowledge and maintain grade 6s and 7s,” said Ellie, who is from Kirkby Malzeard near Ripon.

Although catching up on missed lessons was a constant battle, she had powerful back-up, she says, crediting her friends and brother William, an RGS pupil himself, with helping her crack tough subjects and keep her spirits up.

“They helped me catch up on complex topics and pushed me to achieve my best,” she said.

“I’m happy with my results and so surprised by an eight in chemistry!”

Proving she’s a superstar beyond the classroom too, powerchair football fanatic Ellie faced the ultimate test of nerve after she was handed the captaincy of a brand-new Middlesbrough squad, leading her rookie team to fourth in the regional league smack in the middle of exam season.

Her side crashed into a dramatic play-off decider for a spot in the national league after the match ended 1-1, then 2-2 after extra time, forcing a nail-biting penalty shootout.

Ellie stepped up to take her team’s final penalty – and scored the winning goal, securing their place in the national competition.

“I had to put my exam stress completely out of my mind,” said Ellie.

"Securing our spot in the nationals filled me with overwhelming joy.

"Seeing the team give everything they had was an unforgettable achievement.

“Juggling the captaincy with revision was tough but attending training remained a vital and enjoyable outlet for me.”

Ellie is now looking ahead. She’s staying on at RGS to study A-levels in art, geography and psychology plus an extended project qualification, with her sights set on a criminology degree.

“My school life hasn’t been easy, and I know the future will bring new challenges,” she said.

“However, overcoming these obstacles is exactly what drives me forward.

"I hope to carry this same resilient attitude with me into everything I do next.”