Brave youngsters awarded

In a moving ceremony at Boston West Golf Centre they picked up their awards at the second Children of Courage Awards.

The event was organised by The Rotary Club of Boston and The Rotary Club of Boston St Botolph.

The youngsters are Lucy Raven, Jack Cooper, Lewis Smith and Izzy Ball, who were nominated by their schools.

Haven High student Lucy is 15 years old and was born with a club foot and congenital hip deformation. Despite her condition causing her immense pain and surgery throughout her life she has remained upbeat and is now on track to gain all her GCSEs and in some subjects is expected to exceed her targets.

Jack goes to the John Fielding Special School and from the age of 16 has struggled through an unhappy home life. In January this year he made the brave decision to move into sheltered accommodation, living on his own, and is described by his school as showing enormous strength and determination.

At nine-years-old Lewis was found to have cancer in his leg due to a condition that makes him more susceptible to the disease. His leg had to be amputated. Despite this, and other difficulties that come with his condition, he gets on with eveything, including taking part in PE and trampolining with just one leg and a broken foot. He also joined in the school’s skiing trip and faces all his challenges with a smile.

Boston High School sixth-former Izzy (16) was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of nine and underwent chemotherapy, eventually regaining her health. She has always been grateful for the help and support offered by CLIC Sargent cancer charity and last October rode 200 miles from her school to Chichester with her mum and three friends to help raise £4,045 and awareness for the charity.

Boston St Botolph rotarian Yvonne Slater said: “These young people are just inspirational. Their stories are amazing and show just how much courage and determination they have shown in their young lives.”