THREE inspirational people from the North-East last night received national recognition for their work to change children’s lives.

The trio – a young boy who campaigns against knife and gun crime, a woman who trawls the streets to keep youngsters out of the sex trade and a Paralympic hopeful who mentors a fellow meningitis victim – were all selected for the News of the World Children’s Champions Awards.

They were chosen by a panel of celebrity judges including Lord Sebastian Coe, Emma Bunton and Gary Lineker.

Tom Cave, from Redcar, east Cleveland, received the School’s Award for his twoyear campaign against knife and gun crime.

The ten-year-old has been raising awareness over the devastating effects of gang violence in memory of his brother, Chris, who was murdered by a gang member in 2003, at the age of 17.

Tom, who visits schools to warn children of the dangers of knives and guns, wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron demanding tougher sentences for criminals caught with weapons.

He also persuaded a housing association to donate £5,000 for a play area on his estate.

Wendy Shepherd, from Stockton, received the Barnardo’s Award for her work helping children escape the sex trade.

The 55-year-old spends four nights a week trawling back streets searching for vulnerable youngsters and then provides them with safe accommodation and protection.

She manages Barnardo’s Sexual Exploitation Of Children On The Streets project and has also helped many teenagers escape abusive relationships.

Barnardo’s director Jonathan Ewen said: “It is amazing the connections she makes with girls and boys, and the difference it makes.”

Lyndon Longhorne, from Crook, County Durham, received the Judge’s Special Award after using his experience of losing both his legs, his arm and part of a hand.

The 15-year-old contracted meningitis when he was eight months old and is now mentoring Robbie Jones, of Bowburn, near Durham.

Robbie, now four, lost his legs and the fingertips of one hand to the disease, when he was 21 months old.

Lyndon is a keen swimmer and is hoping to to represent his country at the 2012 Paralympics, in London.

The winners all went to 10 Downing Street to meet Mr Cameron before the London ceremony, hosted by Davina McCall and attended by Simon Cowell, Rio Ferdinand, James Corden, Stacey Soloman, Peter Andre and Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff.