Athletics helps Ollie in battle with arthritis

A young athlete is breaking records, despite a rare childhood form of arthritis.

Oliver (Ollie) Morton-Farrelly, a Year Nine Matamata College student was diagnosed with enthesitis arthritis.

But Ollie is a fiercely competitive and determined young man.

In the 2016-2017 athletic season, which was his first Ollie broke five records and won five medals, including two golds, two silver and bronze. But it’s been a rough road. A downward spiral in his health three years ago brought the sporty young man to a standstill and literally to his knees.

Mum Helene Morton says Ollie’s condition started as a tummy ache, which steadily grew into severe joint pains.