BRAVE Charlotte Johnson - who has repeatedly put aside her own battle with leukaemia to help others - is to receive a top award for her courage.

The ten-year-old, of Hollybush Road, Carterton, is today due to attend a star-studded ceremony at London's Hilton Hotel, where she will get a Child of Achievement award.

The youngster, who attends St Joseph's Primary School, was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was six and has had to endure long spells of treatment.

Her family thought she had beaten the condition but last year the illness returned.

Despite her leukaemia Charlotte has used her riding talents to help fellow patients at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

Last September she insisted on taking to the saddle on her chestnut pony Polo for a charity ride at the Clanfield show, even though she had been unwell after undergoing chemotherapy a few days earlier. Her efforts raised £1,500 for toys and equipment.

Charlotte, who was chosen to receive the award from among 9,000 entries, was nominated by her teacher Linda Purple.

Mrs Purple said: "Charlotte is an inspiration to us all at school."

The Child of Achievement awards are presented annually to 150 children up to the age of 16, who have shown outstanding ability to overcome illness or disability or have helped others through every day tasks.

Charlotte, who impressed judges with her positive and cheerful attitude to life, will be accompanied at today's ceremony by her parents Diane and Kim. Mrs Johnson said: "She had to go into hospital last week because she was unwell but she's picked up a bit now. She's quite a quiet child and I don't think she knows what to expect."

She said that raising the money had been Charlotte's own idea and she loved doing it.

Charlotte added: "I'm looking forward to all of it - but maybe the party most of all."

Among the celebrity names due to attend today's ceremony are TV presenters Gaby Roslin and Bob Holness.

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