Prom king crown for teen who has defied health odds

FOOTBALLER CHARLIE HAS HAD 15 OPS ON HIS MOUTH

- By SUE KIRBY

A Teesside youngster who has overcome numerous health conditions has battled back to become his school’s prom king.

Charlie Loughran-Wild, 16, was born with a cleft lip and palate and at only six weeks old ended up in an oxygen tent suffering from bronchiolitis.

He has undergone a total of 15 operations on his mouth.

On top of that, the Thornaby Academy schoolboy - who also has a cleft hand, which means he is missing a finger - was diagnosed with dysplastic kidneys, scoliosis and a benign tumour on his neck, which medics fear would result in loss of mobility.