DIANA'S BRAVE GIRLS; Courageous children honoured in Princess

BRITAIN'S bravest children are to be honoured with a new award named after Princess Diana.

Sharon King,16, and Ruth Madeley,13, are among 237 youngsters from schools across the UK set to receive awards at a London ceremony in June.

Sharon, from Needham, Suffolk, had five metal rods inserted in her back to correct a spine defect but, despite six months off school, went on to gain five GCSEs. Ruth, of Mount St Joseph School in Farnworth, Lancashire, was born with Spina Bifida and is confined to a wheelchair but tirelessly raises money for children's welfare charity Whizz Kidz.

Diana Memorial Committee director Lindsay Mackie said: "There are some wonderfully brave and incredible children in Britain. Organisers have been overwhelmed by stories of young people who have fought illnesses and overcome dreadful circumstances to triumph in their lives.""

The awards will be officially launched by Education Secretary David Blunkett on April 4.

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