A YOUNG sports fanatic who has excelled despite suffering from cystic fibrosis has been shortlisted for a national award for achievement.

Oliver Keyzor, aged nine, does not let the disease stop him from taking part in trampolining, rugby, swimming, football and running, as well as PE and games.

He has won races at his school sports day and has even completed the two-mile Junior Great South Run and raised £850 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Now the youngster, a pupil at Woodhill School in Botley, will be a guest of honour at the Breathing Life Awards 2005 in London tomorrow.

The awards celebrate the outstanding successes of those living with cystic fibrosis - the UK's most common disease, which is genetically inherited and life-threatening.

Mum Fiona Keyzor, of Durley Street, Durley, said: "Oliver does get up to lots.

"There are times when he's very ill, but like most kids he gets himself back up again.

"He is a lively little chap and is very excited about the awards."

Oliver, his mum, and dad Richard will travel to the Royal Lancaster Hotel for the ceremony.

His testimonial for the awards reads: "Oliver

has great strength of character and his boundless enthusiasm for life is inpsirational."

The Breathing Life Awards, the culmination of Cystic Fibrosis Week, will be screened live on Sky TV channel Living TV2.

They will feature performances from the Faders, M People's Heather Small and the Noise Next Door.

The awards will be presented by a host of celebrities, including ex-footballer David Seaman, and TV stars Jessie Wallace, Graham Norton, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan.