A YOUNG boy has won a dream holiday to the sun in recognition of the courageous manner he coped with serious illness.

Nine-year-old Christopher Hubberstey, of Fir Grove, Marton, overcame renal failure last year but was then hit by the same rare genetic syndrome that killed his brother 12 years earlier.

But his suffering was eased when he received a free holiday to Benidorm from Airtours after collecting one of the 150 Child Achievement Awards.

They are presented to children who cope with a life that many adults would turn away from, whether it's by giving help to others or overcoming an illness or disability.

Anyone up to the age of 16 can be nominated -- 10,000 are each year -- and Christopher's mother, Jean, put his name forward.

But it was a surprise when, during the award ceremony in London, Airtours' executive chairman Mr David Crossland announced that the winners could choose any holiday from their summer brochure.

"It was a shock," said Jean. "We only found out when we picked up the award. Now we are going in June for a week.

"Seven of us are going -- his grandma, aunty, two older brothers, his dad, myself and Chris.

"We picked Benidorm because he's not 100 per cent and we didn't want to go far. Also mainland Spain has good medical facilities, so we thought it was a good destination.

"If you could see what he is going through... He has had 10 operations, has been in comas and has terrible fits. He has been really, really poorly.

"But he doesn't let it bother him and he just carries on."

Christopher suffered renal failure in 1997. He had to travel three times a week to Manchester for dialysis but managed to keep up with his school work.

He and his family devoted much time to campaigning for donor cards and in January 2000 he had a transplant.

Sadly the cure for one problem unmasked Laurence Moon Bardet Bidel syndrome, the same genetic disorder that had taken the life of his two- and-a-half-year-old brother Paul.

Now this has made him overweight, he is losing his sight, and has frequent ear problems, along with poor balance and co-ordination.

There isn't a cure for it at the moment, although with the advances in genetics there could be hope for sufferers during the next decade.

But despite his problems he has still managed to keep up with school work at Highfurlong School, Blackpool Old Road, Blackpool.

The Child of Achievement Awards are in their 20th year, and Airtours donated the holidays after making the organisation their charity of the year.