A YOUNG heart patient who has endured a life-time of operations and raised more than £45,000 for charity has received an award.

Huzaifah Valli, 13, from Blackburn, has been presented with a Diana Award for his work for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, where he has previously received extensive treatment himself.

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The St Wilfrid’s CE Academy student, who lives in East Park Road, was born with complex cyanotic congenital heart disease, which means the two big arteries leaving his heart are the wrong way round.

At only eight-days-old, he had his first operation and has since had two more open heart surgeries, culminating in having a pacemaker fitted recently.

If he becomes sick again he may require a heart transplant.

To raise the money Huzaifah has organised a range of charity events at school and also completed a sponsored work from Blackburn to Samlesbury.

His teacher at St Wilfrid’s, Adam Bond, said that he’s delighted to see Huzaifah receive the award and hope others will follow his lead.

Mr Bond said “We at Saint Wilfrid’s are extremely proud of Huzaifah.”

“The Diana Award will encourage him to continue his fantastic work and will hopefully inspire others to make a difference in the community.

“Huzaifah is delighted to receive an award in recognition of his work.”

Huzaifah has been a patient at the children’s hospital his whole life, having had open-heart surgery three times.

Huzaifah frequently has had to travel from Blackburn to Alder Hey for appointments about his heart conditions.

The award aims to inspire and recognise social action in young people by going above and beyond what is expected of them, and striving to make a difference.

Since 1999, more than 47,000 young people have been recognised with the award for making an outstanding difference in their communities’ across the globe and continuing Princess Diana’s legacy.

Tessy Ojo CEO of the Diana Award said: “The Diana Award is proud to recognise incredible young people, like Huzaifah, who have the confidence and courage to stand up for what they believe.”

“With a growing network of more than 47,000 award holders, we are building a force of young people who are committed to taking action and improving the lives of others.”

The award, supported by Prince William and Prince Harry, focuses on skills development, character building and social action.

Nominations for the Diana Award for the academic year 2016/2017 open in September and can be made on the Diana Award website.