A BRAVE youngster who has battled cancer since the age of four has won an award recognising his courage.

Seven-year-old Adam Nicholson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2012 and despite constant trips to hospital for chemotherapy over the last three years, he has not let his illness hold him back.

Determined to live life to the full just like any other little boy, the Ravenstonedale lad has continued to attend school, beavers and swimming lessons throughout his exhausting treatment.

Adam has now been crowned the Inspirational Child winner for children aged between four and seven in this year's North West Pride Awards.

His mum Chaantallaimy, 27, told the Gazette: "I was in tears when he got the award. I can see why he would win it because his illness has never got in his way or stopped him from doing what he wanted to do and he has never once complained.

"I'm really proud - he's been through quite a lot and lost a few friends at the hospital. He understands life and it sounds like he's lost his childhood but he hasn't, he's still just a seven-year-old."

Adam was first diagnosed with the disease in August 2012 and spent the following 12 weeks in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where at one point his mum and dad Mark, 35, a farmer, thought they were going to lose him.

"I sort of already knew but was trying to convince myself it wasn't true," added Chaantallaimy, who at the time had just given birth one month earlier to her daughter Olivia. "My husband was distraught and all the family couldn't believe it.

"Three weeks into treatment Adam got an infection and nearly died - the hospital asked if he was christened but I thought: 'He's not going to die'."

After a stint in intensive care, the Kirkby Stephen Primary School pupil was left without any strength.

"He had wasted away in front of our eyes," his mum added. "He couldn't lift his head or legs up and weighed less than 18 kilos so had lost a third of his body weight."

But undeterred by the crippling illness, Adam set his sights on walking by Christmas that year and on December 24 brought the children's ward to tears as he stepped out of his wheelchair.

And throughout his treatment Adam wasted no time, always making it to lessons and clubs including Kirkby Stephen Beaver Scouts.

"He just wants to be at school because he missed nearly his full first year there," said Chaantallaimy. "It made him so much more determined to be at school and be with his friends. It's not going to beat him."

Three years on and the close-knit family's monthly runs to Manchester for Adam's chemotherapy sessions are set to end.

Currently in medically induced remission, the little fighter will finish treatment in October.

A month later Adam and three-year-old sister Olivia, along with their parents, will attend a swanky ceremony so he can pick up his award.

Speaking about first finding out he had won the title, Adam said: "I was really happy and Olivia was jumping up and down!"

One of the judges said: "I have nothing but admiration for those who not only carry on but work tirelessly to help others to either feel better or get the most out of the short time we’re here on this earth."