HALF a dozen youngsters from the Keighley area will be rewarded next month for their resilience in the face of illness and adversity.

Each will receive £500 from the Danny Ryan Awards Fund.

The prizes will be presented at a grand gala St Patrick's Dance on Saturday March 7 in Victoria Hall, Keighley. £7.50 tickets for the occasion are still available from the offices of local Catholic schools.

The charity initiative was set up 30 years ago after the death of Holy Family Catholic School's former deputy head, Danny Ryan.

Sean Gilligan, another Holy Family ex-deputy head, who is one of the scheme's organisers, said: "People have donated to the fund very generously, and Danny Ryan's family have been really supportive over the years."

Among this year's recipients is Holly Spencer, a year four pupil at Keighley's St Joseph's Primary School, who has type one diabetes.

Her blood sugar levels are difficult to stabilise, and she requires four injections each day, some of which have to be administered by school staff.

Holly has to be very careful about her diet and needs to have regular blood tests, sometimes as many as 20 each day.

Also in line for an award is Harry Knowles, a ten-year-old whose attendance at St Joseph's Primary has been blighted by illness.

Mr Gilligan explained: "Harry’s large intestine doesn’t work, as there is no muscle or nerve activity. He is having ongoing tests and treatment at Great Ormond St Hospital in London.

"He loves football and was a mascot for Manchester United in a European Cup game."

Another St Joseph's Primary child who will receive an award is year five pupil Cara Harbourne.

Mr Gilligan said: "Cara is a bright and lively pupil who suffers from cystic fibrosis which affects her internal organs.

"She is prone to chest infections and needs daily chest physio, nebulisers and sometimes intravenous antibiotics."

He added that Cara’s parents have encouraged her to take up Tae Kwondo, and she trains four times a week at the Horizon Academy.

This year's recipients include two brothers, Kennedy and Benton Wood who both attend Holy Family Catholic School.

Kennedy, who is in year nine, and Benton, who is in year seven, were nominated by their teachers for the resolve and determination they both showed coping with recent difficult events in their lives.

Both boys are keen on sport. Kennedy is an active member of Keighley Amateur Boxing Association while Benton loves his football and is a Manchester United fan.

A third pupil among the winners from Holy Family is year 11 girl Sidera Hussain.

Mr Gilligan said: "Sidera has celebral palsy which affects her mobility. She was nominated by her teachers who are full of admiration for the way she negotiates the many stairs in the school, never complaining or feeling sorry for herself.

"Sidera’s mum and dad commend her courage in coping with a smile, and particularly in helping to care for her younger brother, who suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy."