Honouring triumph of our young stars

Awe-inspiring youngsters, who have battled adversity and faced up to challenging situations have been honoured at the Ward & Partners Children’s Awards.

For the 11th year, it was hosted by Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins and a circusthemed show took place at the Mercure Hotel in Hollingbourne.

The winners from the Ashford area were: Triumph Over Adversity – ages 12 to 16 An intelligent, happy teenager, Sam Joyce was diagnosed with kidney cancer aged just two.

Since then he has been diagnosed with a condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It means the 13-year-old cannot feel pain or sense hot or cold temperatures. Suffering from the effects of treatment for kidney cancer has left him using splints and a wheelchair but, despite his battles and continuous treatment, this book-loving, super intelligent star passed his grammar test and now attends Norton Knatchbull School in Ashford, where he lives. Young Fundraiser Harrison Cummins, from Ashford, was one of two winners in this category, having turned his story from heart-rending to heart-warming. Harrison has raised a staggering £13,000 from a cake bake for Ashford Pilgrims Hospice.

Harrison’s mum received the devastating news she had terminal brain cancer and the youngster wanted to raise cash in her memory and to help others.

Harrison’s Super Cake Bake was born out of the most tragic circumstances but the sevenyear-old would have made his mum incredibly proud.

The KM Group was media sponsor for the awards.

Picture: Gary Browne FM4542741 Buy pictures from kentonline.co.uk Charlotte Hawkins and financial director Keith Lovell present the award for Triumph Over Adversity (12-16 years) to Sam Joyce and his family

FM4542775 Charlotte Hawkins and Arun Estates lettings director Jason Bunning presenting the Young Fundraiser award to Harrison Cummins and his family