DEXTER Spence from Crediton, who was named as a winner in the prestigious national 2019 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, received his award this week from HRH The Duke of Sussex at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London having been nominated by his mum.

Dexter (6), who was diagnosed with Leukaemia last year, was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the category of Inspirational Child in the Awards which celebrate 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. The Awards are run by WellChild, the national charity for seriously ill children.

Dexter was one of the stars of the show at the October 15, high profile Awards ceremony.

The award was presented by Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Sussex, who was accompanied by the Duchess of Sussex.

Last January Dexter was sent home from school with a sore throat, 24-hours later he was diagnosed with Leukaemia.

Despite being a naturally shy four-year-old, Dexter has blossomed over the course of his treatment, becoming a confident child who’s completely at ease being in hospital surroundings. He did not complain once despite the painful side effects, change of appearance and constant hospital stays. ?Dexter’s family decided to share his story on social media and he has embraced being part of this.

His story has been shared in online newspapers, led to radio and podcast interviews, and has helped offer comfort to many families in the same position.

Dexter has shared videos of his treatment including blood transfusions to highlight how important donating blood is.

This resulted in hundreds of people getting in touch to say they donated blood due to Dexter.

He also drew a picture which was made into a t-shirt design by a clothing brand and has sold in its hundreds raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Dexter’s mum Josie Barron who nominated him for the award said: “Whenever I explain to him that he’s made such a positive impact on thousands of people he does a little shy smile and says ’Have I really?’.

“He really has been amazing throughout the entire journey and has been called a little warrior by his team and an inspiration by thousands of strangers.”

The Duke of Sussex said: “My wife and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to join you once again at this year’s WellChild Awards, and to be in a room with such amazing human beings.

“It has been over a decade since I first came to these Awards and every year they never fail to surprise and inspire me. Yet this year, it resonates in a different way, because now I’m a father.  

“Last year when my wife and I attended we knew we were expecting our first child - no-one else did at the time, but we did - and I remember squeezing Meghan’s hand so tight during the awards, both of us thinking what it would be like to be parents one day, and more so, what it would be like to do everything we could to protect and help our child should they be born with immediate challenges or become unwell over time.  And now, as parents, being here and speaking to all of you pulls at my heart strings in a way I could have never understood until I had a child of my own.

“No parent wants to hear that their child will suffer; that they will face extraordinary challenges that will affect them throughout their lives.  And yet, after meeting all of the WellChild parents and the kids themselves over the years, you’ve managed to give all of us a sense of optimism, a sense of hope and strength that no professional, no bestselling book and no amount of advice can ever give any of us. So thank you for being you.

“All the young people, their families, the nurses, the support staff, here tonight, have demonstrated extraordinary strength, courage and resilience. Never ever underestimate what this means for each other, within your community or further afield. You are all role models, and pretty fantastic ones at that!

“The stories we have heard tonight - of Mia, of Rhys, Dexter, Emmie, of everyone really - demonstrate exactly why we all support this incredible charity and why we support all of you.

“Each of you, through your heartfelt commitments, make it possible for these and other children to live the life that they deserve – at home, with their families.

“The WellChild Community is bravely addressing isolation and fear because we know that WellChild is not simply about having a well child. It is about having a well parent, a well sibling - a well family. 

“This community’s mission is clear.  And in the face of a rapidly growing need, with the charity almost entirely funded through the generosity of donors, we all must continue to amass resources, bring awareness and open our hearts. 

“So, we are extremely grateful to everyone who has played a part this year in helping the charity achieve its goals. There is obviously so much important work to do and I know that you will continue to support, and to spread the word as we strengthen the WellChild community together.

“Congratulations once again to all of tonight’s deserving winners – your determination and strength of spirit are an example for all of us.”

Hundreds of nominations were submitted for the awards, the winners chosen by a panel of leading health professionals and others with an interest in children’s health and includes children and young people who face serious illness themselves.