CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer Gordon Brown presented Soham youngster Liam Fairhurst with a Diana memorial award in recognition of the 11-year-old s fund-raising efforts. Liam has raised more than £70,000 for children s cancer charity Clic Sargent since he

CHANCELLOR of the Exchequer Gordon Brown presented Soham youngster Liam Fairhurst with a Diana memorial award in recognition of the 11-year-old's fund-raising efforts.

Liam has raised more than £70,000 for children's cancer charity Clic Sargent since he was given the all-clear for cancer in his leg and lungs in January 2006.

His fund-raising included swimming a mile despite being unable to walk a mile, and an appearance on ITV's Million Pound Giveaway, which saw him give an emotional pitch to the panel of millionaires.

Now he has been recognised with the Diana award, which he was officially presented with by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the launch of the awards as an independent charity at the treasury last week.

The award is in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the launch coincides with the 10th anniversary of her death.

Liam gave a brief speech to MPs at the launch, along with other recipients of the award, who included a 17-year-old anti-bullying campaigner and a 23-year-old woman who founded a charity to help Afghan youngsters.

Liam's father, Mark Fairhurst, said: "Liam did really well - he had a chat with Gordon Brown and he also had a chat with Esther Rantzen.

"He had no problems at all with the speech; he spoke briefly about why he chose Clic Sargent, and that he was very honoured to receive the award."

Liam has dedicated his fund-raising work to his friend Jack Wilkinson; the two were treated together until Jack lost his battle with cancer aged 12.

Liam will round off a year's work with a presentation to Clic Sargent on his own 12th birthday on Monday.

"Even though we've decided to round it off, Liam's determined to carry on and raise £100,000," Mr Fairhurst said.

Mr Brown said: "The Diana award celebrates the fantastic achievements of ordinary people who do extraordinary things.

"Through their activities they display the values that we should all aspire to: valour, compassion, imagination, teamwork and sacrifice. Even 10 years on from Princess Diana's tragic death her memory continues to inspire young people to devote their time and energy - as Diana did - to helping others in their communities.