A TEENAGER who defied death and raised thousands of pounds for charity has been honoured at an event at Durham Castle.

Charlie Stagg was one of more than 30 young people from across County Durham receiving awards from the High Sheriff of County Durham, Gerry Osborne.

See a gallery of pictures from the awards here.

When he was born three months early weighing less than 2lbs, no one expected Charlie, now aged 14, to survive.

Throughout his life Charlie, who is from Gilesgate Moor, Durham, has received specialist treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

As a way of giving something back to the organisations that have helped him, each year he takes part in the Junior Great North Run, raising thousands of pounds for the Newcastle Special Care Baby Unit, the Tree Tops children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Durham, Durham Action for Children with Tracheostomies, the Lads Together Group and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Charlie has determinedly completed the runs at this own pace, closely followed by a carer with his medical equipment.

He said: “There are lots of other children in the same position as me and I do what I can to help. I just keep going. I am very honoured to get the award.”

His mother Mandy Stagg said: “It is fabulous. He is a fine young man and we are very proud of him.”

Sixteen-year-old cancer survivor Kieran Maxwell, 16, from Heighington, near Darlington, was among the winners, but did not attend the ceremony.

Durham Volunteer Police Cadets received an award for their work helping Age UK reach and support socially isolated elderly people in the Derwentside area.

The cadets walked the streets of Lanchester and Burnhope in January facing high winds, snow and rain to reach over 600 targeted addresses.

Certificates were presented by Mr Osborne, with gift vouchers handed over by Jon Stoddart, chairman of the Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC).

Citations were read out by Bryan Russell, DAAC executive manager, and Vivien Stapley, of the Sir James Knott Trust, which funds the event.

Mr Russell said: “Year after year I am astounded by the number of young people from across County Durham and Darlington who go above and beyond expectations to make a difference to the lives of people in their communities.

"The High Sheriff’s awards are a testimony to the tremendous efforts made by these young people.”

The full list of certificate recipients is: Chelsie Stoddart, Jamie Gibson, Lauren Raine, Dylan Etheridge, Naomi Denning, TJ Mould, Elize Cabanes-Bouveng, Robbie Mcloughlin, Jason Embleton, Holly Laverick, Anne Marie Banks, Jess Lowes, India Graham, Jack Hobbs, Tom Hobbs, Lucy Dunbar, Lauren Bell, Abigail Kent, Lizzie Francis, Rebecca Davis, Adam Luke,

Lewis Christie, Jessica Gaynor, Joseph Dredge, Luke Holiday, Kieran Backhouse, Charlie Stagg, Kieran Maxwell, Bryce Denholm, Matthew Highley and Hayden Denholm.