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WESTLEA                                                  7
                     Battling Ben chosen as one of Britain's bravest
   Brave Ben Fox, 5, from Westlea was one of ten young people to be recognised for their brave ry in the face of adversity at the Woman's Own
   Children of Courage awards on 13 December after being nominated by his grandmother Pat Saunders.
    The children, who visited 10  fects: a missing right leg, holes in  help him with eating, changing for  turned on the Christmas lights.
   Downing Street before a service  his heart and lungs, a gap in his  PE and going to the toilet.  "It really was absolutely brilliant
   and award ceremony at Westmin-  oesophagus, two extra vertebrae  Despite his physical difficulties  to meet the other children and the
   ster Abbey and a lunch attended  and missing muscle and bone in a  nothing stops Ben taking part in  families who have been through
   by sporting and television person-  hip. He is also doubly incontinent,  everything he can. He wears a  so many difficult times. Each one
   alities, included Lee, Luke and  Now in his second year at false leg and plays football in the  has a remarkable story to tell.
   Charlotte Payne, whose sister  Westlea School, Ben is a veteran of  playground, rides a bike adapted  "It was lovely how the Duchess
   Sarah was murdered last summer.  15 major operations including open  by his granddad John and has  of Kent picked Ben up when he
    Within hours of birth Ben was  heart surgery and there are more  started swimming.  walked up for his award and to be
   diagnosed with a catalogue of de-  to come. But he has won through  The three days in London were entertained by Michael Barrymore
                              with his parents Carol Hearne and  'a fantastic experience to remem-  as Father Christmas was amazing."
                              Andy Fox, and older brother and  ber always' said Carol. She is one  Ben proudly wore his special
   Celebrating   caretaker    sister, Wayne and Clair.    of the privileged to have cuddled  Children of Courage medal at the
   A birthday surprise was sprung  At Westlea School Ben is sup-  Leo Blair when the families visited  end of term. "It was the best time
                              ported by classroom assistants who  Downing Street where the children of my life," he said.
   on Westlea school caretaker Colin
   Price in December when staff pro-
                                Ben Fox, standing with his year 1 classmates at Westlea and classroom
   duced a cake for him.       assistant Liz New, rear left, mum Carol Hearn and teacher Sarah Latimer
    Colin, who                                                                        Black  at
                         +
   speaks in a      bo ^iC .=
   croak after                                                                        School of Motoring
   losing his
   voice box to                                                                         A new local school
   throat cancer                                                                          starting shortly
   ten years ago,
   said, "I really                                                                     Discounts available
   didn't expect
   such a sur-                                                                             Driving lessons, a
   prise. You                                                                          cracking Christmas present
                  Colin with y
   could say I'm
                Suzanne Seaton                                                        Tel: Barry Hunter 700131
   speechless."
                                                                                       Approved Driving Instructor
    Headteacher Suzanne Seaton
   said the school wanted to celebrate
   Colin's sixtieth year. "He's an ex-                                                   50% OFF
                                                                                         FIRST LESSON
   cellent caretaker who gets on with
   everybody."





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