INSPIRATIONAL Darlington teenager Kieran Maxwell has been named as a winner in a prestigious national awards scheme.

The 17-year-old, of Heighington Village, has shown an indomitable spirit when battling a rare form of bone cancer which forced doctors to amputate his leg.

His bravery led to his aunt, Rosanne Sanderson, nominating him for the 2015 WellChild Awards and he has been picked from hundreds of nominations to win the Inspirational Young Person category.

Kieran was first diagnosed with Ewings’ Sarcoma in 2010 when he was 12-years-old.

After five months of intensive chemotherapy failed to halt the bone cancer, doctors amputated Kieran’s left leg in order to save his life and proceeded with a further eight cycles of chemotherapy.

In hospital Kieran spent his time trying to cheer up the younger children and when at home he has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness so that others may be diagnosed earlier than him and possibly saved the trauma of losing a limb.

With his cancer in remission Kieran did not simply learn to walk with his new prosthetic leg but decided to life live to the full and take on further challenges.

He successfully trained in acrobatic gymnastics but just days before the national championships learned that his cancer had returned.

Not wanting to let down his partner, Kieran asked for his treatment to be delayed so they could take part.

The couple went on to win gold, becoming British Champions.

Kieran continued fundraising and training during treatment is now showing tremendous talent at 100 metre sprint and working towards a place in the British Paralympic team in Rio.

His nominator, Ms Sanderson, said: “I am so pleased that Kieran has been recognised with a WellChild Award.

“Over the past four and a half years he has amazed me not only with everything he has achieved but with his determination to help other people and not to let his cancer define him.

“He is my hero.”

Kieran will receive his award on October 5 at The Hilton, Park Lane, London, in a high profile awards ceremony, which has been attended in recent years by many of WellChild’s celebrity supporters, including Royal Patron Prince Harry.