DEXTER Spence from Crediton, has been named as a winner in the prestigious national 2019 WellChild Awards, in association with GSK, and will be off to collect his prize on October 15 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 these 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 will be one of the stars of the show at October’s high profile Awards ceremony.

The awards are regularly attended by the charity’s Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Sussex and many of the charity’s celebrity supporters. Last year the Duchess of Sussex also attended.

Last January Dexter was sent home from school with a sore throat and 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 has not complained 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.”

Speaking at the 2018 WellChild Awards, The Duke said: “The stories that we’ve all just heard - of resilience, strength of spirit, and the power of working together –were without doubt, incredibly moving and motivating.

“They really sum up what WellChild is all about – giving families the best chance to care for their children at home, and supporting them through the reality of all that that entails.

“I would like to thank all the families here this evening. The mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, and many other family members who are devoted to their children and giving them the best care possible.

“You are such fierce advocates for your children and doing everything in your power to give your family the best chance at a happy life. It is quite simply amazing.”

With hundreds of nominations received from across the country, the difficult job of choosing winners in all WellChild Award categories is given, each year, to an esteemed panel of judges. That panel consists of leading health professionals and others with an interest in children’s health and includes children and young people who face serious illness themselves.

WellChild’s Director of Programmes, Tara Parker, a member of the judging panel, said: “It is a tremendous challenge to select winners from the many, many truly amazing nominations we receive from all over the country. All the panel members are moved by the bravery of the children, the stories of selfless care and support and the dedication of the doctors, nurses, teachers, brothers and sisters who make a great difference to the lives of seriously ill children and young people. Dexter truly deserves to be the winner of this award.

“The Awards, in association with GSK, are a perfect demonstration of WellChild’s commitment to helping as many seriously ill children and their families as we can and embody our aim of raising awareness of the needs of this growing population.”

At the star-studded event in October, Dexter will meet a host of WellChild celebrity supporters, who attend each year to celebrate the courage of brave children and honour the dedicated work of the country’s health professionals.

In addition to HRH The Duke of Sussex and the Duchess of Sussex, previous WellChild Award evenings have been attended by  Rapper Stormzy, Magician Dynamo, rock legend Rod Stewart with his wife Penny Lancaster Stewart, comedian Russell Howard, pop singer Pixie Lott, actress Barbara Windsor, pop band Scouting for Girls, Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne and many more.