Page 7 - link magazine
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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,
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