Yorkshire Chidren of Courage Awards: Paralympic star helps in final push for nominations

Sheffield-based Mr Cotterrill, who trains at Leeds Beckett University’s Carnegie Campus and left for the Rio games on Monday, said the children who will be recognised at the event in October were "the real heroes" as he supported the final push to recognise brave and courageous youngsters.

The awards include a Sporting Achievement category, and past winners include Leeds street dance star Junior Frood and European paraclimber Sianagh Gallagher, from York.

Also at the event at Twinkles Nursery on Friday was Leeds Children’s Mayor, Hanna Begum, and Stephen Mitchell from the Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards committee. Mr Mitchell, Leeds representative of the St James Place Foundation, founded the awards to recognise worthy youngsters but also raise money for the foundation, which supports local, national and international charities. Last year's event raised in excess of £100,000.

Twinkles is the main sponsor for the event, which is supported by Yorkshire Post Newspaper.

Managing director Jill Johnson said: “Helping children have the best start in life is what our nurseries across the county are all about and so our support for The Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards feels very right for us. Some children have to cope with so much in life and the amazing ways they find to do so, and also the ways in which they also help others is truly an inspiration to us all.

"The children from our Leeds nursery were really excited about the chance to help encourage more people to nominate a Yorkshire child of courage, and from the grins on their faces they were having great fun doing so.”

Nominations for the awards, held at New Dock Hall on October 14, have now closed, but tickets are available here.