A YOUNG kickboxer who battled for life after weighing less than a bag of sugar when she was born has been nominated for a York Community Pride Award.

Eight-year-old Hannah Martin weighed only 1lb 6oz when she was born prematurely and doctors warned that she “would need a miracle” to survive.

Now aged eight, the brave youngster has managed to overcome her obstacles and has recently achieved her yellow belt in kickboxing.

Hannah, of Manor Park Close in Rawcliffe, has been nominated for the Child Of The Year award by her mum, Samantha Jane Martin.

Samantha said: “Although she suffers from a lot of illnesses including asthma, hearing and sight difficulties she is as much of a fighter now as she always has been and never lets anything hold her back. She is determined to achieve her black belt some day.

“Hannah is a real inspiration, her determination and drive to achieve is truly astonishing when you consider that she spent the first six months of her life in York District Hospital.”

Hannah, a Knavesmire Primary School pupil, was born 12 weeks prematurely after doctors noticed that she had stopped growing and carried out an emergency caesarean.

She was born weighing 1lb 6oz, which dropped to 1lb 4oz, and suffered a lot of illnesses and spent six months in York Hospital.

On one occasion she became very ill with a virus and doctors advised Samantha to have her christened, she said.

But Hannah pulled through and after six months she was allowed to go home and has since gone from strength to strength.

There is one day left to nominate inspirational individuals and groups from across the city for the Community Pride Awards.

The competition, which is being run with City of York Council and several local businesses, has received a stream of nominations.

Nominations can be made online until Friday at yorkpress.co.uk/pride

All nominees must live or be based in the City of York Council tax area, and the winners will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October.