A RESOUNDING cheer went up for Soham youngster Liam Fairhurst on Monday evening as he was voted a winner in the Young People of the Year Awards. Liam, 12, who has battled with cancer, won the junior category and total prize money of £500 – £250 for himsel

A RESOUNDING cheer went up for Soham youngster Liam Fairhurst on Monday evening as he was voted a winner in the Young People of the Year Awards.

Liam, 12, who has battled with cancer, won the junior category and total prize money of £500 - £250 for himself and £250 for his chosen charity, CLIC Sargent.

The brave Soham Village College pupil was nominated for being "inspirational and courageous" by Carolyn Muir, head of Year 7.

He has already raised £100,000 for the children's charity, CLIC Sargent, despite being treated twice for cancer and undergoing gruelling chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Liam's dad, Mark, said: "I'm immensely impressed with Liam. He's worked very hard. He's put a lot of effort into everything he's done.

"He's always thinking of other people.

"It's really good that he gets this recognition. I'll never run out of being proud of him."

Liam, who was tired after a long day, said he was "ecstatic" about receiving the award.

He faced tough competition from youngsters all over the county who had accomplished major feats of endurance and achievement to win their places in the final of the SkillsTrain Young People of the Year awards, held at the Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre in Huntingdon.

The judges had been so impressed with the quality of this year's entries, they had increased the number of finalists.

Liam received his award from Jane Lewin Smith, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire.

She told the 250-strong audience at the awards' ceremony: "All the young people here tonight are givers. They give without counting the cost to themselves. I am pleased to see that they are rewarded for their selfless giving.