Leeds Schoolboy Up for Children of Courage Award
A Leeds nine-year-old who is described by his aunty as 'the legs she doesn't have' is up for a special award tonight. Lewis was nominated for a Yorkshire Children of Courage Award by 24-year-old Lizzy, who was born with bilateral club foot and needed both limbs removed over the past two years. She told Radio Aire Lewis is a 'role model' to other children for all the help he's given her - ranging from household chores to explaining her condition to other people. Her husband is often away with the army, meaning she depends on Lewis' help. "Sometimes my legs are quite sore and I'm unable to use my limbs so I am housebound," Lizzy says. "So Lewis offers that bit of company that I don't get when my husband is away. It can be difficult trying to get in the bath or getting up and down stairs when I'm tired. He's just that extra pair of legs that I need!" Lewis also explains Lizzy's condition to other children. "A lot of the kids do stare, which is understable. Lewis tells them I've got robot legs and that I'm a transformer, because that's how kids understand it. "He's got a really good understanding of what my condition is and he's a really good role model for boys of his age and younger and older." Lewis says he's happy to help: "I just tell them that my aunty had poorly legs and that she had to get them cut off. I know the full version of it, other people won't understand it as much. So I have to explain it in a simpler way so they can learn about what it is". The ceremony takes place at New Dock Hall tonight.