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Tom, 7, climbs to top honour
A DETERMINED South Yorkshire boy who almost died at birth has walked off with a national award after completing a gruelling trek which raised thousands of pounds to help sick babies.
Seven-year-old Tom Fryers was born by emergency Caesarean section in Sheffield's Jessop Wing hospital and needed weeks of treatment in intensive care to survive as well as close monitoring during the first 12 months of his life.
But the youngster, of Bower Hill, Oxspring, not only survived a traumatic birth but grew into a fit and healthy boy.
And with dad Paul he went on to achieve the remarkable feat of scaling all 214 of the Wainwright Peaks - the highest in the Lake District named after guidebook author Alfred Wainwright - by the time he was six.
The three-year challenge - involving 480 miles of walking and more than 150,000 feet of climbing - raised 2,500 to help ill babies at the Jessop Wing.
Now Tom's remarkable feat is has been recognised with a national award after he has scooped the Outstanding Achievement award at the Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards.
Tom will be honoured at the awards ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday December 9 alongside other courageous children from around the country.
Youngsters will receive their awards in front of a star-studded congregation including celebrities from Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor and some of Britain's favourite pop, soap and television stars.
The winners will be guests of honour at a reception at the House of Lords and pay a visit to Number 10 Downing Street following the ceremony.
Proud mum Helen said: "Tom wanted to do something to thank the staff at the Jessop Wing of Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
"There are so many new-borns with health issues and Tom wants to help make sure the resources are available so they can be saved too."
Woman's Own editor Karen Livermore said: "The Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards provide a great opportunity to reward and celebrate some of the bravest and most selfless young people in the UK."
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
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