AN AWARD scheme is aiming to recognise the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer.

In the North West around 190 children are diagnosed with cancer every year.

Nominations for the Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, are now open and families across Cumbria are being called on to nominate young cancer patients and survivors in the run up to Christmas. The Star Awards are open to all children under 18 who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years.

There is no judging panel, because Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. Everyone nominated receives a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces, including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.

The Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx, the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s and young people’s cancers. Since 2004, the retailer has raised over £43 million for vital research to help improve survival and reduce the long-term side effects of treatments. To nominate a star visit cruk.org/starawards