A LITTLE girl who saved her late father’s life after he fell into a diabetic coma has been honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Five-year-old Holly Price was one of 32 young people from across the region receiving awards from Peter Bell, the High Sheriff of County Durham, at Durham Castle today (Thursday, March 27).

The youngster took a glucagon injection from the fridge for her dad, Barry Barkess, and bravely injected it into his stomach before calling her mother on his mobile phone.

She calmly played on her computer game until the 47-year-old builder, from Stanley, regained consciousness following the incident in February.

Sadly, less than a month later, Mr Barkess was found dead at his home.

Holly’s mother, Sandra Price, said: “We are all very proud of her. Her dad wanted to be here with her today and had made plans, but sadly he is not.

“This award means everything to us. He will be looking down on her and smiling.”

Two ten-year-old girls who raised funds to help others after they both lost their younger sisters, Rebecca and Jorja, through illness were also award winners.

Charlotte Sands and Angel Snowdon-Smith, both from Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees, met when Charlotte was involved in a fund-raising event last year in aid of the Remembering Rebecca charity.

They used their negotiation skills to secure a free disco and face painter.

Eighty children attended the event along with their parents and the event raised more than £700.

Shona Haston, 16, and Britty Farren, aged 15, both of Barnard Castle, were nominated for giving their own time voluntarily to support children’s physical education.

Talented dancer and sportswoman Britty Farren has given her time at Startforth Primary School to help students achieve sports leaders awards and, as part of her GCSE coursework, designed and planned routines so that her peers could achieve high marks in dance performance.

Certificates were presented by Mr Bell, with gift vouchers presented by Durham Constabulary’s Deputy Chief Constable Michael Banks.

Citations were read out by Vivien Stapley from the Sir James Knott Trust, which funds the event, and Bryan Russell, executive manager of Durham Agency Against Crime, which organises the awards.

Mr Russell said: “The young people being honoured have made a difference to their lives and to those of other people in their communities.

“These awards are a testimony to the way in which they have either made a contribution to their community, overcome personal hardship or disability, or displayed courage and bravery.”

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THE good work of 14-year-old Jonathan Ellis, from Chilton, County Durham has earned him an honour.

A cancer survivor and former victim of bullying, Jonathan worked for 18 months on projects at Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College as part of Durham Agency Against Crime’s (DAAC) Eddy project.

He also took part in a campaign with Durham Constabulary, the NHS and other agencies to promote safer driving across County Durham and Darlington.

Last year, he and a group of helpers received an award from the Royal Horticultural Society after they created a community garden in Chilton on wasteland that had previously suffered from antisocial behaviour.

The project also won the South Durham Youth Work That Works Award.

Jonathan said: “I think it is great to be recognised and see how other people are also working hard in their communities.”

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Awards were also given to Sam Cottrell, 17, of Durham; Andrew Donnelley of Ushaw Moor; Thomas Alder, 20, of Bishop Auckland; Bethany Harrison, 15, of Hartlepool; Holly Harrison, 12, of Hartlepool; Joseph Rowell, 19, of Consett; Hannah Beard of Craghead; Mitchell Bowater, 17, of West Rainton; Josh Morton, 18, of Leamside, Durham; Tamarin Mellor, 16, of Newton Aycliffe; Bradley Deluce, 14, of Newton Aycliffe; Robyn Hill, 17, of Carrville, Durham; Elisha Bates, 17, of Framwellgate Moor, Durham; Chelsea Morgan, 19, of Gilesgate, Durham.

A group certificate was awarded to St Peter’s Gardening Project, made up of 11 young people from Stockton.