A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy with special needs has won an award recognising his courage in overcoming his difficulties.

Casper Dowson, of Etherley Dene, Bishop Auckland was awarded one of four schools’ awards at Shildon’s Children and Young People’s Action Network (SCYPAN) Young People’s Awards on Wednesday, November 25 at Shildon Civic Hall.

The determined and resilient boy, who attends the town’s Timothy Hackworth Primary School, suffers from XYY syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting one in 3,500 boys. Males with the condition have an extra Y chromosome which tends to make them very tall. They may also suffer with learning and behavioural difficulties.

Casper was also born with oesophageal atresia, an abnormality in his gullet which makes eating difficult and for which he has had several operations. He also has problems with his balance and speech development.

Despite these challenges, Casper has proved himself a determined youngster, nowhere more so than at school. He was nominated for the school’s young achiever award by his headteacher, who, along with the school’s special needs co-ordinator, had no hesitation in rewarding Casper for his hard work and independence.

Casper’s mother, Val Dowson said: “He stood out for all the right reasons. He wasn’t chosen because of his conditions or his medical needs. He stood out because, against all the odds, he’s fought through and worked hard.”

Funded by Livin, Hays Travel, the Variety Show, Shildon Town Council and Darlington Chair Cover Hire, the awards evening recognised and rewarded the young people of the town for all their hard work and dedication over the past year.

Also receiving awards were: Lauren Atkinson (Arts Creative Award), the cast of Les Misérables from Sunnydale Campus Greenfield Community College (Arts Performing Award), Nicola Stevens (Sports Award) and Owena Saunders (Young Person’s Choice Award). Timothy Hackworth School Council - Ben Hopper, Jessica Costello, Brendan Haigh, Ethan Ingram, James Plews, Kristian Welch, John Taylor, Ashton Houlahan, Rachel Jones and Millie Sanderson - received the Community Champion Award.

As well as Casper’s, Schools Awards were presented to Sophie Story (Sunnydale Campus, Greenfield Community College), Anthony Scott (St. John’s C of E (Aided) Primary School) and Harrison Taylor from Thornhill Primary School.

The Chloe Clark Special Achievement and Recognition Award – awarded for determination through hardship - was presented to Mia Day, Matthew Harnett, Caity Connor and Keira O’Brien.