Courageous and inspirational youngsters from across the county were praised at a special awards ceremony.

Recognition was given to young people who have battled difficulties in life, from serious illness to caring for a vulnerable loved one and raising money for a worthy cause.

The Ward and Partners Children’s Awards, held at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne, praised their efforts and welcomed them to the stage.

It was the 13th time the annual awards has taken place in the county and Good Morning Britain presenter, Charlotte Hawkins, has now hosted ten. She is also a patron of charity ellenor, which provides care and support to families facing terminal illness in Kent.

She said: “This is such a special event and I am thrilled to be back here again. I want to say a huge congratulations to all winners from the bottom of my heart.

"In such a short space of time some children have suffered serious conditions but have all faced it so courageously. A lot of organisation goes into this cause and it gives such amazing children the recognition they deserve.”

This year’s was the biggest event so far and organisers received 120 nominations - the most they’ve ever had.

There was a cowboy theme to the event and entertainment came from Marli the Magician, who called up both Charlotte Hawkins and award winner, Tanisha Jones, as assistants.

Just shy of 80 guests attended the ceremony and lunch and there were a total of 17 winners across six categories.

Tears were shed and applause filled the room as each deserving winner descended from the stage after receiving their award.

Prizes were handed out by Paul Rooney, chairman of Ward and Partners, Lee Crane, regional manager for Ward and Partners and Carol Lynch, chief executive of the Kent Community Foundation.

The KM Group was media partner for the awards.

Here is a list of the winners in each category:

Triumph over adversity - up to the age of five:

Thomas Rye-Byrne’s brain stopped developing at 22 weeks old and he was born by emergency caesarean six weeks early.

Tests found he had a brain haemorrhage and he remained in hospital for three months after birth.

In April he was rushed to hospital with an infection. Thomas, from Margate, underwent further surgery on his brain and stomach but during this time his great grandmother passed away. He said she was a star and started singing twinkle, twinkle little star.
His family said he always has a smile on his face and makes the most of each day.

Abigail Prosser:

The brave youngster had a traumatic birth, she suffered from a lack of oxygen and died. It took doctors 16 minutes to resuscitate her.

After spending four weeks in intensive care doctors told her family she would be severely disabled.

The 21-month-old suffers from cerebral palsy and cannot control her body temperature. She was put on long term anti-seizure drugs and attends physiotherapy sessions which help her with daily activities.

It was said Abigail, from Dover, would never roll, crawl or stand but she can now do all three.

Abigail’s family say despite her condition she lives a normal life and is a happy girl.

Chase Hunter-Matthews:

Chase suffers from quadriplegic cerebral palsy and motor development delay.

The five-year-old, from Gravesend, started school last year but is unable to talk and cant use sign language properly due to a lack of motor skills.

Now he manages to use a computer to talk and his family said he has settled in quickly at school and staff say he is doing well.

Triumph over adversity - six to 11:

Talleulah Knight:

Talleulah suffers from a rare genetic disorder called metachromatic leukodystrophy.

It causes muscle weakness and wasting, developmental delay, loss of vision, convulsions and impaired swallowing and dementia.

There is no cure, but Talleulah and her family were confirmed on part of a medical trial in Milan.

Talleulah, from Chatham, was placed in isolation for 47 days where she received a number of transfusions and tests.

She returned home in March and doctors say improvements could appear within six months.

Oakley Orange:

After being diagnosed with epilepsy, Oakley was given medication which instead of helping, nearly killed him.

The now eight-year-old became lethargic, his skin began to blister and he had a temperature of 40 degrees.

Oakley’s skin began shedding as he was burning from the inside out and he was finally diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

He lost 100% of his skin, all of his blonde, curly hair, all of his finger and toe nails, he suffered infection after infection. Oakley, from Stood, fought through hypothermia which resulted in him losing part of his big toe.

He couldn’t eat, drink or walk but after spending eight weeks in intensive care and four weeks in rehabilitation he walked out of hospital. His family said he is not ashamed of his scars and has inspired a charity in his own name.

Triumph over adversity - 12 to 16:

Liam Bennett:

Liam was born with a heart defect named aortic stenosis. He underwent open heart surgery and had a valve replacement which, due to complications, took eight hours.

The 15-year-old, of Park Way, Coxheath, spent nine days in hospital and as soon as he was home he started revising for his mock GCSE exams. But during a follow-up appointment doctors found fluid around his heart.

After having a drain inserted Liam made a great recovery and was entered early for his Maths GCSE - which he passed with an A*.

Liam’s parents said: “We are so proud of the way he has taken everything in his stride and find it amazing that he has not once said “it’s not fair” or “why me?”

Bradley McCellan:

Bradley suffers from severe autism, a social disorder and high level anxiety. He couldn’t face leaving his home. He would get dressed and everything would be fine until he got to the front door.

However, over the space of five months, with his mum, he would go forward two more steps every morning before returning home. Now, the brave 15-year-old, from Ramsgate, walks to school by himself and manages a few hours in the classroom - he even achieved an A* in his mock exams.

Exceptional young carer:

Jake Kinnear:

Jake looks after his mum who suffers from mental health issues. The 10-year-old lives with her and his five-year-old brother in Willesborough, Ashford.

Jake cleans the house, does the dishes and goes food shopping. The courageous youngster also gets his brother up for school, puts him to bed, makes packed lunches all while ensuring the well-being of his mum.

Going for gold:

Tanisha Jones:

Tanisha is severely deaf and wears a hearing aid attached to a sweatband. The enthusiastic youngster has always had a passion for trampolining but struggled as she couldn’t wear her aid while taking part and couldn’t hear instructions.

Tanisha, who lives in Gillingham, began researching simple sign language. After finding there were not many sport specific signs, she created her own and passed them to her teachers.

She now competes in the sport and has just qualified for a regional competition.

Young fund-raisers:

Camille Anderson:

Camille heard about Kent Young Carers after watching a presentation at school. She felt moved by the things young carers do and wanted to something meaningful.

The 18-year-old, from Canterbury, attempted to swim the English channel twice, but on both occasions was thwarted by bad weather conditions which called the event off - when she was just three miles off the French coast.

But the conditions didn’t weather her fundraising as Camille raised £2,500 for Kent Young Carers.

Ben Evans:

Ben lost his dad to cancer one year ago. The nine-year-old, from Bexleyheath, wanted to carry out an act to thank Greenwich and Bexley Hospice for the care it provided his father in his last days.

Along with best friend, Drew Carter, the pair ran the hospice’s Mini Marathon and raised £3,600.

Courageous family:

The Lewis-Caseley Family:

Twins, Thomas and Harry, were born at 31 weeks old. Thomas suffers from congenital malformation of his lower legs which meant he couldn’t sit, walk or stand properly. This led him to undergo surgery in which he lost both his legs at just 14 months old.

Harry was born weighing just 630g - 1.3lbs - and has an extra blood valve which will need to be corrected in later life. Due to an early birth his organs weren’t developed properly which led to significant bowel and heart problems.

At six weeks old he got a bowel infection which meant it began to waste away. He has had 10 surgical procedures in a bid to fix it. The twins, from East Farleigh, spent the first 15 months of their life in hospital but are now living happily at home with their big brother, James.

Outstanding charity:

Square Pegs Drama Club:

The club is run by drama expert, Beth James. The organisation was established in Maidstone in 2006 and aims to help those with communication difficulties. More than 50 young people currently go to the club which has now expanded to Canterbury.

Anyone up to the age of 25 can attend.

Beth, who accepted the award on behalf of all volunteers, has helped youngsters with autism, downs syndrome, anxiety and those who find it difficult to fit in.

Outstanding contribution:

Vanessa Savage:

Vanessa has dedicated 10 years, unpaid service to Holding on Letting Go. SThe charity supports bereaved children in Kent and Medway who have experienced the death of an important person in their lives.

The trustee sees first hand the impact bereavement can have on a family.

The organisation gives one to one support to children giving them a space to express their feelings and talk about the person they have lost.

Vanessa accepted the award on behalf of all Holding on Letting Go volunteers.