A YOUNG Greenock boxer and disabled rights campaigner who is now fighting to help vulnerable pupils has won a national 'peacemaker' award.

Rhys McCole has received GB & Ireland's Rotary International's highest honour for his outstanding achievements.

The sports coach impressed the judging panel with his set up, going into schools to work closely with young people in a bid to combat bullying as well taking on the weapon culture and drug and substance use.

Rhys, from Greenock's east end, said: "It is a privilege and an honour to recieve this award.

"I am really humbled by the recognition, I just want to continue to use my skills and my boxing to help other children.

"I work with pupils in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde and I see the difference it can make to youngsters.

"Boxing saved my life and I want to do the same for other young people."

Community champion Rhys, 22, was born fighting for his own life with a heart defect and has himself been diagnosed with complex health conditions and disabilities including dyslexia, autism and asthma.

Growing up he was often in hospital and has suffered sepsis, as well as a ruptured appendix and was rarely able to go outside to play.

He is the only para-disabled boxer fighting in the mainstream and has won national titles.

Rhys was nominated for the National Rotary Young Citizen Peacemaker Award by the Gourock Rotary Club.

Last year he was named Rotary Club Gourock's Sadhu Gupta Young Citizen of the Year.

Rhys runs boxing sessions in local schools including Notre Dame, St Columba's Gourock, as well as secure schools Lomond View and Kibble in Renfrewshire.

He also works closely with Police Scotland to help troubled youngsters.

Gourock Rotary's Norman Pettigrew said: "The results have been significant and have had a positive impact on mental health.

"Many of the pupils attending Rhys's classes were disinterested in school and encountering problems with discipline - yet within weeks of attending his classes, their behaviour had improved drastically.

"The schools saw less violence, better attendance, and physical and mental health benefits.

"Rhys feels he has received decades of help and support and is, in turn, keen to contribute back to the community and support kids.

"He is a warm and charming individual and has represented Inverclyde with his charity work and volunteering."

As well as his current role Rhys has won a host of awards as well as being on the Sports Panel for Sportscotland/Young Scot, an Ambassador of the Year for Young People 2018, making presentations to the Scottish Parliament and working tireleslessly for other causes as an Ambassador for Autism and Enable Scotland.

Rhys received his National Rotary Award 2024 at a ceremony in Alcester, Warwickshire.