ALISON CHIESA and HANNAH THOMAS


Watch Britain's bravest children here

Jack Murray-Bell, from Dumfries, was one of 10 youngsters recognised at the annual Children of Courage awards ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Other winners included Emily Palmer, 11, from Connah's Quay, North Wales. She was just three months old when her mother died and she has become a carer to her grandmother Ann Palmer, 64, whom she now knows as "Mum".

Her grandmother has diabetes, and Emily dresses wounds caused by thin skin on her legs, and helped her wash, dress and go to the toilet after she broke her arm in three places.

Family friend Maureen Whitfield, who nominated Emily, said: "She did all of these things willingly."

Emily even manages to go ice skating four times a week as well as doing her homework. The youngster, who would like to be a figure skating coach, but has difficulty in affording her hobby, said of her caring role: "It's just totally normal. My mum looks after me and I look after her. She's one of my best friends and my mum."

Ms Palmer said young carers were "not recognised enough by any means, adding of Emily: "She's just so wonderful, it's untrue. Everything about her is special."

The event, now in its 34th year, is dedicated to recognising the achievements of children who have shown outstanding bravery and courage in difficult circumstances.

Jack, 10, suffers from a genetic condition called Charge syndrome which causes birth defects and developmental problems. He has twice endured open-heart surgery, undergone 10 kidney operations and lost his sight in one eye.

The Georgetown primary school pupil was nominated by teaching assistant, Fraser McGill, who said: "He never dwells on his differences and he is willing to try almost anything.

"In fact, he never thinks about himself and what he's been through. He only ever worries about others."

Speaking before the ceremony, Jack said that he had "butterflies" about receiving the award. The Harry Potter fan said of his trip to London: "I'm thinking of going to Hamleys to see Santa."

His mother, Elaine Murray-Bell, 41, said: "He just takes everything in his stride, nothing bothers him.

"He's always a happy wee boy. He's got a strong personality."

Sarah Brown, wife of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, presented the Woman's Own awards at the star-studded ceremony.

This year the event introduced a new award entitled Family of Courage, which was received by Steven Tomlinson, 10, son of fundraiser Jane Tomlinson. She lost a seven-year battle with cancer in September after raising more than £1.75m for cancer and children's charities.

Another winner was Ellie Bishop, seven, from Oldbury, West Midlands. After she contracted meningitis in February last year, Ellie had both her legs above the knee, her right arm up to the elbow and three fingers on her left hand amputated.

But Ellie, who was nominated by her aunt, has learned to adjust and vowed: "I'm still going to live my life."

Others who triumphed over adversity