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Royal encounter for Cumbrian WellChild award winner

Nellie-Mai won the award for the most inspirational young person Credit: PA

The award ceremony celebrates the courage of children coping with serious illnesses or complex conditions and honour the dedication of professionals who go the extra mile to help sick children and their families.

Nine year old Nellie-Mai from Warcop near Appleby, was awarded the most inspirational young person in the 7-10 age category after being born with a heart condition that meant she needed a heart transplant at just 11 months old.

Since then Nellie-Mai has battled cancer, suffered several strokes and has ongoing epilepsy.

She continues to amaze doctors, family and friends by beating all the odds against her.

Sarah Lofthouse is a Teaching Assistant at Warcop C of E Primary School.

Nellie-Mai has defied the odds time and again and fought every step of the way.

She is such a loving, caring child who is determined to live life to the full in spite of the difficulties she continues to face.

Nellie-Mai is truly special and makes a deep impression on everyone who meets her.”

– Sarah Lofthouse, Warcop C of E Primary School

Nellie-Mai was seriously ill in hospital and not expected to survive when foster carers Jeff and Sarah Evans agreed to care for her during her final weeks.

Nellie-Mai quickly responded to the family’s love and attention and her condition began to improve.

She has won a special place in the heart of everyone in her new family and all those she meets through her cheeky sense of humour, caring attitude and incredible lust for life.

Along with all the night's award winners, Nellie-Mai met HRH Prince Harry who is Patron of the WellChild charity.

He spoke to Nellie-Mai and her adoptive father Jeff before playing balloon tennis with the award winner.

HRH Prince Harry plays balloon tennis with Nellie-Mai Credit: PA

Speaking at last year's event, Prince Harry said:

All of us together can make a real, real difference for children and young people just like those we have seen on the stage this evening.

It is such a privilege to be Patron of this charity, a charity that has achieved so much and yet is working harder than ever to make life better for more and more young people.”

– HRH Prince Harry