Teenage pilot with Crohn's flying round the world

A 15-year-old pilot living with Crohn's disease is flying around the world to raise awareness of chronic illness - and to encourage young people to "achieve their dreams".

Byron Waller, from Queensland, Australia, was often in hospital before he was diagnosed in 2024 with the long-term condition in which part of the gut becomes inflamed.

Once well enough, he took flying lessons and, aged 14, soared around Australia, to raise money for the hospital where he had stayed.

Byron, who landed at Top Farm Airfield at Croydon in Cambridgeshire during his circumnavigation, said he wanted people to "put [their dreams] into action and do it".

Byron, also known as Teen Pilot Down Under, landed in Cambridgeshire for a scheduled servicing of the aircraft.

His next stop was the Ayr Show Festival of Flight in South Ayrshire, Scotland, where he hoped to inspire young people to dream big and work towards their goals.

"I'm flying around the world to raise awareness for people who are facing challenges, stuck in hospital, or wanting some motivation to achieve their dreams no matter how big or small they are," he said.

There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but there are treatments to help manage the symptoms.

Byron said it presented "challenges" and he had had to be proactive with his health while learning to fly and going to school.

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