A little boy whose “strength of character and courage” has helped raise awareness of early onset dementia, is the latest young hero to be nominated for a Pride in Medway award.

Tommy Fraser’s dad Ian was diagnosed with the condition aged 47 in October 2013 – a few weeks after Tommy started school.

Two years on, Ian is rapidly deteriorating. He can’t dress himself and some days he struggles to tie his own shoelaces.

Earlier this year Tommy, seven, made the brave decision with his mum Kelly to share his story so more people know dementia does not just affect older people.

Tommy, of Downland Walk, Walderslade, arranged a fun day at his school which raised more than £1,000 for Dementia UK’s Red Lippy campaign and spoke to the Medway Messenger about his dad.

He told us: “I miss my dad, I miss him and how he used to be. He gets confused a lot. Sometimes he doesn’t know where stuff is.

“Sometimes when he is supposed to do something he does it wrong and it gets all messed up. Once he went outside and he didn’t know where he was going.”

As a result of Tommy’s article in the Messenger, his story was reported in national newspapers and local radio. Tommy and his mum also appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.

Tommy has now been nominated for a Pride in Medway award by Alexia Hanson from Dementia UK.

She said: “Tommy was the star of Dementia UK’s Red Lippy campaign. He rallied up the support of his school, Maundene Primary, to help raise awareness. The school donned their red lippy, pouted and posed, and ran a bake sale to help raise funds.

“Together, Tommy and Kelly also spoke to local radio stations, ITV Good Morning Britain and Medway Messenger about their dementia experience. The Medway Messenger feature also went national and was covered in the Daily Mail and The Sun.

“Tommy’s strength of character and courage has really shone through and we are incredibly proud of him.

“Dementia UK is also incredibly grateful to the Fraser family for talking about dementia and supporting the charity throughout the last couple of years.”

The Pride in Medway Awards are now in their 15th year. Last time, we received about 70 nominations.

The overall winner was Anita Marinelli, a Gillingham mum who put her life on hold to lead a fundraising drive for her friend’s daughter.

Mrs Marinelli raised £500,000 in just 10 months for three-year-old cancer sufferer Ruby Young should she need crucial treatment not available on the NHS.

Sponsors’ award winners included multi-marathon runner and fundraiser Becky Beard, fire rescue hero Jason Blackburn and young leukaemia sufferer Harry Thumwood.

Pride in Medway is sponsored by mhs homes, Medway Council, the University of Kent, Uniper, Southeastern, MidKent College and the Medway Messenger.

To nominate, visit www.pridein.co.uk/