THE COURAGE of a North Yorkshire schoolboy braving his mother's illness as well as his own cancer fight won national recognition today.

Seven-year-old Martin Green, of St Andrew's Crescent, Harrogate, was among 150 youngsters from all over the country to receive a Child of Achievement award in London.

Martin, a pupil at Woodlands Junior School, was diagnosed with a kidney tumour in February 1996. Since then he has undergone a year's chemotherapy and radiotherapy and had his left kidney removed.

But throughout his treatment he continued to attend school, even when he lost his hair because of the chemotherapy.

In a second blow for the family, Martin's mum Elizabeth Wallace herself was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but both she and Martin's father, also called Martin, attended the award ceremony with their son.

The couple have two other children, Richard and Leonna.

"He's just been through so much", said Elizabeth. "He always has a smile on his face, even through chemotherapy."

Martin's condition is still being monitored to make sure the tumour does not return. "We had a bit of a scare a few weeks ago when we though it had come back," said Elizabeth.

Richard Whiteley, Martin's school headmaster, added his own words of praise for his courageous pupil: "We're extremely proud of him and the way he's overcome the difficulties in his life," he said.

" It's hard to tell that he's anything other than a normal little boy."

The Child of Achievement awards are presented annually to children who have either helped others or overcome illness or disability. The award ceremony at the London Hilton hotel was hosted by a panel of celebrities.

It is the award's 16th year, and the winners were chosen from around 9,000 entries. All the children received a certificate and a trophy, with a photograph and video to remind them of the day. "We're overwhelmed", said Ms Wallace before the family set off for London.

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