Sydney teen inspires Nova’s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie

This morning on Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie, the team spoke with 14-year-old Hugo Russell, a Sydney teenager and national cross country champion who’s been told he is no longer able to compete due to his disability.

Hugo talked about how the heartbreaking decision affected him, why he loves running and his surprise friendship with Nedd Brockman – who joined the team in the studio to share his story.

Hugo said “Apparently my disability makes me unfit to run and unable because it does something to our bodies … that I haven’t been affected by.”

“It’s pretty frustrating because it’s the thing I love and it was taken away.”

Wippa said “It’s terrible. We all should have the exact same opportunities as everyone. So Hugo did the Uncomfortable Challenge, and did 3km a day for 10 days, and we came down to St Augustine’s, his school, and saw all the boys getting around him at the finish line.”

“I’ve never been more inspired by someone for taking something on it and raising money as well. I think Hugo beat everyone’s fundraising by about $128,000 which was incredible!”