Brave Ben Fox, 5, from Westlea was one of ten young people to be recognised for their bravery in the face of adversity at the Woman's Own Children of Courage awards on 13 December after being nominated by his grandmother Pat Saunders.

The children, who visited 10 Downing Street before a service and award ceremony at Westminster Abbey and a lunch attended by sporting and television personalities, included Lee, Luke and Charlotte Payne, whose sister Sarah was murdered last summer.

Within hours of birth Ben was diagnosed with a catalogue of defects: a missing right leg, holes in his heart and lungs, a gap in his oesophagus, two extra vertebrae and missing muscle and bone in a hip. He is also doubly incontinent.

Now in his second year at Westlea School, Ben is a veteran of 15 major operations including open heart surgery and there are more to come. But he has won through with his parents Carol Hearne and Andy Fox, and older brother and sister, Wayne and Clair. At Westlea School Ben is supported by classroom assistants who help him with eating, changing for PE and going to the toilet.

Despite his physical difficulties nothing stops Ben taking part in everything he can. He wears a false leg and plays football in the playground, rides a bike adapted by his granddad John and has started swimming.

The three days in London were 'a fantastic experience to remember always' said Carol. She is one of the privileged to have cuddled Leo Blair when the families visited Downing Street where the children turned on the Christmas lights. "It really was absolutely brilliant to meet the other children and the families who have been through so many difficult times. Each one has a remarkable story to tell.

"It was lovely how the Duchess of Kent picked Ben up when he walked up for his award and to be entertained by Michael Barrymore as Father Christmas was amazing."

Ben proudly wore his special Children of Courage medal at the end of term. "It was the best time of my life," he said.