THE fortitude shown by Peter Jones as he awaited a second heart transplant epitomised the spirit of the Child of Achievement awards.

And it will be with a particular poignancy that he will be remembered at the ceremony, in London, tomorrow - for the nine-year-old died within days of finding out he had been nominated.

In recognition of the joy the news brought him, Peter was buried sporting the Child of Achievement badge he so briefly, yet so proudly, wore.

His grieving mother, Debra Porton, of Sunderland, said: "Peter went through a lot in the last seven months of his life, but he was a fighter and very brave.

"Even though he had been ill, his death was sudden and came as a complete shock.

"He found out two days before he died that he had been nominated. He was over the moon about going to London. Learning that he was nominated meant a lot to him."

Peter had a heart transplant when he was two years old and, although it saved his life, it brought many problems that he had to cope with daily.

In the summer, he started suffering from blackouts and had to undergo weekly tests.

He had a pacemaker fitted to try to regulate his heartbeat, but died in Sunderland Royal Hospital on January 13 - just weeks after a nationwide appeal for a heart donor.

Sue McNeilly, special needs coordinator at Sunderland's Hudson Road Primary School, said yesterday: "Peter battled hard to take his place in school, be accepted by his classmates and to join in with as much as possible.

"He was often unwell and only able to cope with school for a few days a week, even then suffering from dizzy spells and collapses.

"But he was one of the bravest little boys. The positive attitude Peter displayed throughout his life will continue to inspire all who knew him."

Ms McNeilly said she would be joined by Peter's elder sister, Toni, 12, and brother Liam, 11, at the awards.

She said: "It will be an honour to get the award on his behalf. He rightly deserves it."