Gareth, the captain of Willington Cricket Club’s under 18-team, and nine other young people with different disabilities from all over the country, are to take part in the third, Beyond Boundaries, series on BBC 2, in Ecuador.

The 18-year-old, Durham Sixth Form Centre student, has overcome a physical disability to excel at cricket, a sport he loves. Due to Poland Syndrome, a muscle deficiency, he was born with no left arm below the elbow.

Gareth, and his disabled team-mates, face tough challenges in Ecuador, trekking in the Andes mountains, dense rainforests and volcanic landscapes.

On Thursday, March 1, a film crew from Diverse Bristol TV, the company commissioned by the BBC, to make the series, filmed Gareth in action, in the cricket nets, in our Sports Hall.

He was filmed bowling and batting, with team-mates from Willington Cricket Club, which uses the Sports Hall for nets practice. Four young cricketers from Bishop Barrington School, Year 10 students, Daniel Craggs, Christopher Grayson, James Robinson and Craig George, who all play for Bishop Auckland Cricket Club’s under-15 team, also picked up some tips from Gareth, who is a level 1 cricket coach.

Vikki Rogers, assistant producer with Diverse, who has done the casting for Beyond Boundaries III Ecuador, commented on Bishop Barrington’s “excellent sports facilities” for the filming.

“We had nothing like this when I was at school, the Sports Hall is wonderful.”

She said the young people taking part in the four-week expedition will need to work together as a team, helping each other, overcome the challenges to complete the trek.

Gareth is certainly a team player, besides captaining the under 18 team, he also plays for his club’s second team, and also regularly turns out for the first XI.

A gifted bowler – he is a medium pace swing bowler – he is also an excellent fielder, last season taking the award for the most catches for the under-18 side.

“I like catching, I work really hard on it,” said Gareth, who is looking forward to taking part in the expedition.

“I’m really, really excited about it. I’m looking forward to the challenge. It is a wonderful opportunity,” added Gareth, who also helps coach the under 11s.

Darren Brown, the club’s cricket development officer, who is also manager of our Sports Hall, said: “Gareth is an inspiration. He regularly plays for the first team because he is an excellent player. He never lets us down.”

Willington Cricket Club captain Carl Brown, said: “He is a talented and dedicated player. He is a fantastic role model.”

Gareth, winner of a Local Heroes sports award and a Durham County Sport Award for “most inspirational team-mate”, starts out on his adventures on March 11. The first Beyond Boundaries series was set in Nicaragua, and the second in Africa. A date has yet to be fixed when the latest in the series will be broadcast on BBC 2, but will probably be in the autumn.

Young cricketers from Bishop Barrington School with Gareth Walton, shortly before the film crew started filming Gareth, in the nets in the Sports Hall. Pictured from left to right are: James Robinson, 15; Craig George, 14; Gareth Walton; Daniel Craggs, 14; and Chris Grayson, 15.

Gareth Walton, fourth from left, is pictured with young cricketers from Bishop Barrington School, from left to right, James Robinson, 15; Craig George, 14; Daniel Craggs, 14; and Chris Grayson, 15.