Winners: Rubie O’Brien, Courtney Collier, Brooklyn Hutchinson, Bradley Lowery, Abbie Pinder, Charlie Creaser

There was a unanimous shout of “yes!” as six inspiring children became award winners.

And then, every member of the Best of Wearside Awards audience rose to their feet for a standing ovation which lasted around 10 minutes.

Rubie O’Brien, Courtney Collier, Brooklyn Hutchinson, Bradley Lowery, Abbie Pinder and Charlie Creaser have trophies to treasure after they were all chosen as the winners of the Child of Courage Awards. It could not have gone to more deserving causes.

Little Rubie, two, has been battling since the day she was born.

She has spina bifida, a condition where the spine does not develop properly. She had her first hospital operation at one day old and since then, surgeons have operated on her back, hips and feet.

To put her fight into context, she has spent 70% of her life with her legs in casts, but she now has a special wheelchair which has given her independence.

Mum Ciara Heffernan said: “We were over the moon when we found out she was nominated, but I never imagined she would be a winner.

“It was lovely to see all six of the children chosen as winners. They were all worthy.”

Six-year-old Charlie took on the biggest challenge of his life in aid of fellow youngster Bradley Lowery.

Charlie has cerebral palsy and struggles to walk, but when he heard that another little boy had cancer, Charlie decided to walk a mile for Bradley.

He did it in 50 minutes. It was the furthest he had ever walked in his life.

His mum, Michelle, said: “It has been a very emotional night. I agree with the judges. How could you pick just one of these children to win?

“This is something that Charlie can tell his friends about.

“He has got Show And Tell at school and he is going to take his trophies in.”

Courtney Collier, 13, has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which affects all of her limbs and muscles.

She also has been in and out of hospital since the day she was born.

Her health conditions don’t end there. She also suffers from epilepsy, scoliosis and has to be fed milk through a tube.

Mum Danielle said: “We are over the moon that she has won. It has been a really enjoyable night.

“How could you pick only one winner? Every one of them deserved it.”

She described Courtney as a happy, smiling little girl. Nothing seems to phase Courtney and I am so proud of her.”

Brooklyn is a truly inspiring little girl for the brave way she is facing up to cancer.

The seven-year-old was first diagnosed in August 2015 when she battled a tumour which saw her have a kidney removed.

In June 2016, Brooklyn was given the all-clear but doctors found tumours in her lung. She underwent treatment and did it in her usual courageous way.

Those who know her described her as a “thoughtful, positive little girl”.

Mum Joanne, after hearing that Brooklyn had won, said: “This is very nice and we are very surprised. These are all incredible young people and they deserve to get this award.”

Bradley has captured the hearts of people worldwide who have followed his fight against neuroblastoma.

The five-year-old was first diagnosed back in 2013. He battled through gruelling chemotherapy and was given the all clear a year later.

But sadly doctors found cancer again during one of his check-ups.

Since then his family raised an amazing £700,000 to cover the cost of pioneering treatment in America.

But just before Christmas they were given the devastating news that his cancer was terminal.

Now the brave little boy is undergoing pioneering antibody and chemotherapy treatment to prolong his life.

His nana, Marie Stonebank, described Bradley’s award as “amazing” and added: “It is marvellous”.

Described by friends as the “strongest and nicest girl they know”, nine-year-old Abbie faces a daily struggle after being born with cerebral palsy.

Her condition means she struggles with her speech. She also has a wheelchair, but she doesn’t let her disability stop her from trying new things.

She and her classmates were once asked: “If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?” Abbie said: “Nothing, because no matter what disabilities I have, I believe I’m the same as everyone else.”

Dad Graeme Pinder said: “It is fantastic and I am so proud.

“It is quite humbling to be in the presence of all these winners. It has been an awesome experience.”