Meet the brave boy, eight, who battles rare deadly obesity hormone by doing triathlons

An eight-year-old boy is battling a rare deadly illness by competing in triathlons.

Jake Vella, from Malta, suffers from a hormonal condition that makes him put on weight despite regular exercise and a healthy diet.

To try to keep the weight off and keep himself alive, he has resorted to completing triathlons.

MORE: Police pay burglar’s £44,500 mobile phone bill that he ran up while on bail
MORE: Teenagers think Google is cool, according to Google

Jake was diagnosed with ROHHAD, or rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysregulation, hypoventilation and autonomic dysregulation.

Fewer than 100 people have been diagnosed with the condition and none of them have lived beyond their 20s.

The life-threatening condition affects the nervous system controlling involuntary actions.

It can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including slow heartbeat and excessive sweating. Jake has also developed a tumour on his back.

But the keen triathlete refuses to stand still, and dreams of one day meeting Great Britain’s own triathlon kings, Olympic heroes the Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonny.

His mother, Maruska, said: ‘Triathlons help Jake to keep fit and active. It’s good for his health and also gives him a chance to socialise with other kids.

‘He leads a normal life, goes to school, plays the drums, but he has to be very careful not to get sick and we are frightened that a simple flu could lead to other complications.

‘He trains with the Malta Youth Triathlon Association three times a week, and it really is like a second family to him.

‘All the other young athletes and their families are so supportive of Jake, and they are the first ones to cheer him across the finish line.

‘Now we have shared Jake’s story on social media, people from all over have come forward to say how he has touched their hearts. We are so overwhelmed.’

Jake’s first trainer, Matt Azzopardi, said: ‘His father and I met on the triathlon scene a few years ago. Two years ago, he wanted to get Jake involved in the sport and that was when he joined my group of young triathletes.

‘He is extremely positive and motivated and easily the most dedicated. He never misses a training session without valid reason and is constantly eager to train.

‘Jake is very lovable and steals the heart of all who know him. It is sad and heartbreaking to see what he has to go through. I look at his family with a mixture of sympathy and admiration – despite the hardship they do their utmost to ensure that Jake gets as normal a life as possible.

‘Jake was always included in the group and followed the same training and adapted as and when the need arises.

‘Some alterations are necessary in order to meet his special needs such as having to stop and go to the bathroom or keeping an eye on his heart rate and ensuring he doesn’t get too hot.

‘But I always tell him not to change, to keep going and to do his best. He is an inspiration for so many.’