Sunderland youngster gets Child of Courage nomination after such bravery during his cancer fight

The seven-year-old from Thornhill has been nominated for a Child of Courage trophy in the Best of Wearside Awards.

Delighted dad Ahmed Elshahawy said: “I am over the moon because he is going to be happy and with everything that makes him happy, he will have more strength to make the cancer go away.”

Just days before his fourth birthday, Farid was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive neuroblastoma.

He spent eight hours in surgery to remove a tumour above one of his kidneys and has since had rigorous chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

He is now in his second year of remission but he will need regular checks and scans at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for five years.

His next ultrasound scan is only weeks away.

Dad Ahmed, from Thornhill in Sunderland, described his son as “a lovely, happy little boy. he is a very funny kid.”

And most of all, despite everything he has gone through, Farid is loving and very friendly with everyone he meets - and especially the many friends he made in hospital.

Farid last made the news headlines last November when he had his greatest wish granted to go to Disneyland Paris thanks to Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity.

Now he could be a step away from another great boost - of winning a trophy.

Farid joins an ever-growing list of entries in this year’s Best of Wearside Awards but we want even more.

Related: Brave Sunderland toddler becomes first Child of Courage nominee

This year’s Awards has backing from headline sponsor BGL Group, partner sponsor Gentoo and category sponsors Stagecoach and Calsonic Kansei.

We thank them all for getting on board, and now comes your turn to get involved.

Send your name, address and telephone number, as well as your email address, if applicable.

Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into. Also, send the name of the person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known). Send all of that to Lynn Wild by no later than mid-February.

You can nominate in any one of three ways:

•Email those entries to [email protected].

•Send them to Lynn Wild, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland. DH4 5RA.

•Visit the website at www.bestofwearside.co.uk.

The categories

Local Hero.

Green Champion.

Student of the Year.

Fundraiser of the Year.

Volunteer of the Year.

Sporting Achievement.

Community Group.

Community Champion.

Child of Achievement.

Child of Courage.