Celebrating our little Bravehearts
BATTLING life-threatening illnesses, these youngsters have shown great courage in the toughest of times. Now they have been honoured with special Bravehearts awards at a ceremony at St James’ Park in Newcastle.
A total of 19 children, aged between five and 14, were given crystal plinths and a gift of their choice in recognition of their strength in the face of adversity. The youngsters were presented with their awards by former Newcastle United player Mike Williamson, who currently plays for Gateshead, and Paralympic gold medalist Josef Craig. Among those to receive praise was Alexis Dodds of Seaton Burn.
The six-year-old was born with Down’s Syndrome and was diagnosed with leukaemia last November. Her family say this was extremely difficult as Alexis often found it hard to tell medical staff what was wrong and where she was feeling pain.
However, she faced her treatment with a smile. She is currently in remission and is back at school.
Her aunt, Amanda Spiers, said: “Alexis is a star, she is a champ.
YOUNGSTERS HONOURED FOR THEIR COURAGE AT CEREMONY
“She has been through so much but she has taken it all in her stride. “Everyone tells us how happy and bubbly she is.
“She always has a cute little smile on her face. We feel proud of her.” Zakariya Farah, six, of Byker, also won hearts with his bravery.
He was born with a complex heart condition and needed two open-heart surgeries by the age of two.
He also suffers from a number of other health conditions and is now monitored on a regular basis.
The youngster has been fighting his health problems by “always getting up and living life bravely without complaint.” His mum Rachel said: “He was always a scared child.
“He was clingy and had a lot of problems with starting school.
“However, he has really started to come out of his shell in the past year or so and we are extremely proud of him.”
Jack Fieldhouse, of North Shields, received an award for showing immense courage after he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in January this year.
The 13-year-old, a fan of Newcastle United and North Shields Football Club, began a course of chemotherapy.
However, during his treatment, he suffered a stroke which left him with additional physical and verbal difficulties.
Despite this, he has shown an amazing determination during his rehabilitation and is making good progress.
He has now been able to return to school and is trying to live his life as normally as possible.
His mum Johanne said: “Jack was a fit and healthy young lad. He used to take part in boxing, play football and cycle to school.
“It was a total shock when he was diagnosed with leukaemia. He was poorly for five and a half months but he has been amazing and is recovering well. “He has been really brave throughout.”
Former Newcastle Falcons’ captain Doddie Weir received an honorary Bravehearts award.
The 48-year-old rugby legend is fighting his own personal battle with motor neurone disease but over the last 20 years he has helped the Bravehearts of the North East charity raise thousands of pounds.
The charity felt it was appropriate to recognise his efforts and the award was handed to him by Bravehearts trustee Dave Hodgkins. A video of him receiving the award was shown at the ceremony.
The other youngsters who received awards were: Mia Tate, six, Shotton Colliery, Sam Neville, eight, Stockton, Grace Measor, 11, Hartlepool, Abigail Stewart, seven, Jarrow, Amelia Creswell, six, Hetton-le-hole, Sophie Maxwell, five, South Shields, Jack Dixon, 13, Sunderland, Alec Hutchinson, 14, Consett, Liam Rushton, six, Carlisle, Samuel Cumpson, six, Cleveland, Dexter Langley, five, Ferryhill, Connor Arnell, 14, Stanley, Rosa Belle Johnson, five, County Durham, William Eager, five, Darlington, Ellie Hardy, 11, Boldon Colliery.