Brave youngster earns national honour

Jordan Whitewood-Neal, nine, is one of only 43 youngsters in the UK suffering from Proteus Syndrome, a condition which causes parts of his body to grow at an abnormal rate.

The Observer told plucky Jordan's story in April. His parents Tracey and Dean are working to explain the little-known condition to a wider public and to raise funds for the Proteus Syndrome Foundation.

Since April, Jordan has joined the 1066 Specials Football Club at the invitation of its founder, Harold Lawrence, becoming an enthusiastic participant in the Bexhill-based scheme to help disabled youngsters develop both their skills and their self-esteem.

On Wednesday, Jordan was presented with a Women's Own Children Of Courage Award - one of only ten recipients of the honour.

The national awards scheme is designed to recognise the achievements of youngsters who undertake acts of heroism or, like Jordan, show indomitable courage in overcoming their disabilities.

Jordan attends mainstream school and is a smart boy with lots of friends, but he often has to face the ignorance of others who taunt him.

Although he's now learning to deal with the cruelty, Jordan admits it upsets him. But his family have encouraged him to realise that his differences make him special. They see Proteus Syndrome as being part of who Jordan is.

Women's Own editor Elsa McAlonan said: "Jordan is truly an inspiration to us all.

"Throughout the year we are inundated with entries for the Woman's Own Children of Courage awards - from mothers, grandmothers, aunts and neighbours who nominate children they feel deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their extreme courage.

"This year the response has been even higher than normal. Choosing 10 winners proved virtually impossible '“ but Jordon showed outstanding bravery with his strength throughout his suffering which we feel makes him one of our Children of Courage.

"We can promise him a memorable few days in London and, hopefully, one he will remember for the rest of his life."

Jordan picked up his award at a star-studded service at Westminster Abbey. He also went with his mother to meet Tony and Cherie Blair in Downing Street and then join a host of A-list celebrities at a special Woman's Own party in the House of Lords after the ceremony.

Yesterday, he was due to go to Clarence House to meet Prince Charles.

The judging panel with Elsa Mcalonan was GMTV presenters Lorraine Kelly and Fiona Phillips, actor Anthony Andrews and Colleen Harris of the Commission for Racial Equality.

They sifted through sackloads of nominations from readers to choose the 10 award winners for these, the 31st annual awards.

Some of the children '“ who will be featured in a special GMTV series in the run-up to Christmas '“ have performed acts of extraordinary heroism, some have bravely endured pain and suffering as a result of disability or illness, and some have devoted their young lives to selflessly caring for others.

Children Of Courage is the original celebration of the bravery of British youth. Each year since 1974 the Woman's Own awards have honoured Britain's bravest youngsters.

Harold Lawrence said: "This award is well earned. He's got such great spirit. A very bright lad who, when you get to know him as a personality you totally ignore the disability because his character shines through."

Tracey Whitewood-Neal has chaired the Proteus Syndrome Foundation for seven years. The movement's patron is the actor John Hurt, star of the film The Elephant Man, the story of John Merrick whose advanced form of Proteus Syndrome earned him this cruel title in a less caring age.

The syndrome is named after the Greek god Proteus,