Inspirational Sam Russell-Pierce has been picked for the Queen's Baton Relay in the Commonwealth games after using a series of challenges to show people with Down's Syndrome can achieve their ambitions.

The Swindon man, 30, Toothill, will represent the south west at the games in Birmingham this summer. 

He is among 2,000 inspirational Batonbearers chosen from 8,000 nominations, carrying the Queen's message to the Commonwealth placed inside a baton the length and breadth of the country ahead of the opening ceremony.

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Sam's mother, Leslye Russell-Pierce, joined him at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham for the unveiling of the Batonbearers. 

She later told Good Morning Britain: "It's an absolute honour. Sam's done 21 challenges to raise awareness and to change perceptions on what people think that our kids with Down's Syndrome can do," she said. 

"Sam's done amazingly well, and I'm very proud of him and to be honoured this way for our community - families with Down's Syndrome children and adults is absolutely briliant."

Sam raised £6,300 for local charities with 21 personal challenges. Since last summer he has flown a plane, driven a steam train and taken a speedboat down the Thames.

Football-mad Sam has also played football with the Swindon Town first team, visited every premier league football stadium in three days and walked over the Millenium Dome. 

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Read: Swindon man's 21 challenges for World Down's Syndrome Day

A letter from the Commonwealth Games confirming Sam's selection said: "Sam has been chosen as a Batonbearer as he is proven to be someone that has made a meaningful contribution to charity, has taken on these challenges and is challenging perceptions for everyone."

Sam added: "I am so excited to take on the Queen's Baton Relay and prove nothing can hold me back."

He'll be joining other Batonbearers from the South West in carrying the baton across the region on  July 4 and July 5. It is currently passing through Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago and will be in the UK on July 4. 

The Commonwealth Games will be taking place from July 28 to August 8.