A Boy who lost parts of his arms and legs to meningitis and his twin brother, who helped him to cope with the ordeal, have both won bravery awards.
Edward Bright recovered from a potentially lethal bout of meningitis but his limbs had to be amputated when blood poisoning set in.
Throughout his journey from a hospital bed to a wheelchair and now to prosthetic limbs, the seven-year-old, of Ripley, has been supported by his identical twin brother, William.
Last night, their courage and zest for life was acknowledged at a ceremony organised by Derbyshire County Council.
The twins were among 113 people to receive a Derbyshire Young Achievers Award in honour of their courage in adversity.
Edward contracted meningitis in February. The youngster, a pupil of St John's C of E Primary School, Ripley, has made an amazing recovery and has surprised his family with the speed in which he has adapted to walking with prosthetic limbs.
Edward and William were handed a certificate and a portable DVD player at the annual ceremony, held at Highfield School, Lumsdale Road, Matlock.
The awards recognise young people for bravery in fighting an illness, kindness to others, sporting, musical, artistic or academic success, or commitment to improving their school, community or local environment.
All pupils at Derbyshire County Council infant, primary, secondary and special schools were eligible for an award and members of the public were asked to nominate outstanding children.
The twins were nominated by head teacher Sue Hannath and teacher Sue Hayes.
Their father, Steve, 39, of Morleyfields Close, said: "It's nice that they've both received awards. William's been very supportive of Edward and it's good he's been recognised for his courage.
"Edward's doing really well on his prosthetic limbs and they're both excited about Christmas."
Evening Telegraph paper girl Lauren Tansley, of Ashford Rise, Belper, also received an award.
The quick-thinking 15-year-old came to the rescue of a pensioner with a broken leg when she discovered her lying on the floor during her paper round.
She broke into 80-year-old Cynthia Whyman's house through a back door, called an ambulance and sat with her until paramedics arrived.
The Belper School pupil was nominated by her head of year, Geoff Astill.
Mum Yvonne, who attended the ceremony with husband Richard and sons Luke, 13, and Jack, nine, said that she was proud of her daughter.
"I'm very pleased for her," she said. "But she's a bit embarrassed by it all."
Andrew Slater, who was recently registered blind after his retinitis pigmentosa visual-impairment condition deteriorated, also picked up an award.
The 14-year-old, of Teesdale Road, Long Eaton, raised more than £500 for Guide Dogs for the Blind when he raced an Astra GTE around Donington Park.
Andrew was nominated by his teaching assistant, Gill Goodchild, and bursar Barbara James at Long Eaton School. At last night's ceremony, it was confirmed that he will be joining classic car manufacturer Aston Martin, in Warwickshire, in July for a week of work experience.
His dad, Glenn, described the youngster as "positive".
He said: "Andrew's coped remarkably well. He has a passion for cars and, when he was told at the age of 11, that he'd never be able to drive, it was as if the bottom had dropped out of his world.
"But the school and the visual-impaired service have given him a lot of support.
"He's even created his own website, www.andrew-slater.co.uk, to share his passion for racing and motor sports."
County council leader Councillor John Williams said that the awards recognised the amazing contribution young people made in Derbyshire.
He said: "Young people achieve many great things in our communities and some of these achievements are made against incredible odds.
"These awards are about giving young people the credit they deserve.
"We're very proud of our young achievers."
BY SHIRLEY BROOKS
SBROOKS@DERBYTELEGRAPH.CO.UK
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