This Is Cheshire

'NO HOPER' LANDS ON FEET - AND AIMS FOR STARS

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 4th Oct 2001.

A YOUNG man written off as a no-hoper has graduated from Britain's top military academy.

John Race failed his A-levels, was forced into several low-paid jobs and was twice rejected by the Royal Marines.

But the 25-year-old, who had dreamed of piloting a military jet since he was a boy, refused to quit.

Now after graduating from Sandhurst, he could soon be flying Apache AH64 attack helicopters.

"We're so proud of him," said his mum Chris on Monday. "It has been very hard for him and there have been lots of tears along the way.

Disappearing

"But John is a fighter and I knew he would never give up."

The former Knutsford High School pupil joined the Air Training Corps at 13 and a year later he was doing ëloop-the-loops' over Blackpool Tower.

"He wasn't flying the training jets but he had a great time learning the skill," said Mrs Race.

At 16 he passed eight O-levels but was told he had to go back to school to sit three science-based A-levels.

"He tried very hard with his A-levels but just couldn't get the good grades," said his mum. "It was hard for him because he knew without them he wouldn't be accepted in the RAF." John was so desperate to win a place in the RAF that he repeated his lower-sixth year to try to improve his grades.

But after three years of studying, he left Knutsford High without any A-levels and took a job as a trainee car salesman at Quicks in Altrincham.

"He was working on commission and not making much money," said Mrs Race. "He became very down-hearted because he knew that the military was where he wanted to be. He has always wanted to serve his country."

John opted for the Royal Marines and applied for an officer's position.

But after missing out on a place ëby a whisker' twice, he went home to Carlisle Close in Mobberley with little hope about his future.

"That was the lowest point," said Mrs Race. "We sat round the table discussing his options and real tears were shed by all the family. The hope was disappearing."

John was a member of the Territorial Army in Crewe and they advised him to join the Army.

In September 2000 he was accepted at Sandhurst and a year on he has begun his career in the Army Air Corps.

"He always wanted to fly a Tornado but now he's got bigger goals," said Mrs Race. "I think my son is proof to everyone out there that if you have a goal you should go after it no matter how long it takes."

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