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Prince Harry presents the Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards at Westminster Abbey
10th December 2008
Prince Harry led the nation today in paying tribute to some of the country's most "courageous" youngsters.
The Prince presented medals to 10 children and teenagers who have overcome adversity, shown compassion for others, battled against disability or illness, or shown bravery.
The group were honoured at the Woman's Own Children of Courage 2008 awards ceremony staged at Westminster Abbey.
A host of celebrities joined the families of the youngsters and hundreds of schoolchildren for the annual event.
Amongst them was former England footballer and now television presenter Gary Lineker, 48, who said after the service: "I just think coming here is a chance to show our thanks and admiration for a group of very special young people.
"A, it's nice to be invited and B, to come along with others and show your support."
But the former striker has experienced what some of the parents of the children honoured today have gone through as his teenage son was treated for leukaemia which proved successful.
The host of BBC's Match of the Day show added: "Obviously there's a similarity with one or two of the families here and I can understand to a degree what they've been through."
The award ceremony was part of a church service at the abbey that included Christmas carols, readings and prayers.
It began with the choir singing the festive favourites Once in Royal David's City and as the singers progressed up the aisle they were followed by Harry.
Comic Catherine Tate read from the bible and told the story of Christmas to the congregation.
Later in the service the invited guests were treated to a performance by former X Factor contestant Rhydian Roberts who sang O Holy Night.
Celebrities who attended the event included Coronation Street stars Sally Whittaker who plays Sally Webster and Vicky Binns who plays Molly Compton and two of the singers from Girls Aloud - Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts.
Also in the congregation were Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood – two of the judges from the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show - ex-Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, former X Factor contestant Daniel Evans and this year's Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson.
During the service, the Dean of Westminster, Dr John Hall, speaking about the award winners told the congregation: "May their story be an example and inspiration to us all of the power and grace of our god given humanity."
The recipients of the Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards were: Outstanding Bravery, Courtney Taylor, 10, from Broadwell in Gloucestershire; Sheer Courage, Rupert Parsons, five, from Taunton in Somerset; True Inspiration, Evangeline Edwards, 13, Elmsett near pswich.
Young Carer, William John, seven, from Loughor near Swansea; Outstanding Achievement, Edward Common, 13, from Hexham, Northumberland; Young
Fundraiser, Keaton Peppiatt, 10, from Bexhill-On-Sea, East Sussex.
Local Hero, Tara Ifill, 14, from Bermondsey, south-east London, and Unsung Heroes sisters Lucy, eight, Bonnie, 11, and Charlotte Long, 12, from Erith in Kent.
During the presentation ceremony, Harry listened intently as the citations were read out for each winner and as they came forward the Prince hung a large medal around their necks.
But at one point Prince Harry joined the parents of five-year-old Rupert Parsons, who has a genetic syndrome, in a giggling fit when the boisterous youngster began banging his large medal against his wheelchair.
After the service Prince Harry met all the winners during a reception held in the abbey.
Ten-year-old Keaton Peppiatt, who won his award for sending 400 boxes filled with personal treats to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Harry told him what the troops really needed.
The Prince, an officer in the Household Cavalry Regiment, served in Afghanistan with Gurkha troops for 10 weeks, returning home earlier this year.
Keaton said: "Harry said ready meals from Sainsbury's was something I could send. He told me that the Chicken Tikka Masala meal was really good.
"He said it was really hot in Afghanistan and the meals were disgusting, and just said 'keep on sending the boxes'."
Later the young award winners and their families enjoyed lunch at the nearby House of Lords.