Lyndon named a true inspiration in national awards (From The Northern Echo)

Lyndon Longhorne's bravery will be honoured by a national magazine

9:09am Tuesday 24th November 2009 in Limbs For Lyndon By Rachel Wearmouth

TEENAGER Lyndon Longhorne is in line to meet the Prime Minister when a national magazine honours his bravery next month.

Lyndon, who will turn 14 on Saturday, is among eight children in the UK to receive accolades at the Woman’s Own Children of Courage Awards.

The Paralympic hopeful, from Crook, County Durham, has been invited to Westminster Abbey, on December 9, where celebrities from X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing will gather to applaud the youngsters.

Lyndon, who lost both legs and an arm to meningitis as a baby, will be handed the True Inspiration award for his determination to swim in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Before arriving at Westminster Abbey, the winners will pay a visit to Number 10 Downing Street where they are expected to meet Gordon Brown.

Lyndon will also be a guest of honour at a reception at the House of Lords.

The awards are designed to celebrate young people’s courage in the face of adversity, or those that perform a selfless act.

Lyndon’s mother, Tammy Shevels, said: “Every parent frets about their children, and I was really worried about what kind of life lay ahead for Lyndon, but I needn’t have been.

“My son believes that there is nothing he can’t do.”

Woman’s Own editor, Karen Livermore, said: “The Woman’s Own Children of Courage Awards provide a great opportunity to reward and celebrate some of the bravest and most selfless young people in the UK.

“The awards are one of the country’s most poignant events and to be able to provide the children with the recognition they deserve is a real privilege for the Woman’s Own team.

“It has been an absolute honour to meet the nine children and their families and we hope they enjoy their special day.”

Lyndon is flying to specialist clinic Dorset Orthopaedic today to collect his new prosthetic limbs, paid for after the Limbs For Lyndon campaign by Durham County Council chairman Brian Myers and The Northern Echo raised £10,000.

Councillor Myers said: “I’m pleased that the readers of Woman’s Own recognise Lyndon’s inspirational story.

“I think this will encourage him even more, especially following the weekend when he won another two swimming medals.”