A SCHOOLBOY who spent the first 18 months of his life critically ill in hospital is set to receive a national award for his courage and determination.

Jamie Jobson has spent the past ten years in and out of hospital as a result of serious problems with his digestive system which have left doctors fearing for his life at some points.

But following surgery, the ten-year-old is able to manage his condition at home and is even learning to feed himself through a tube into his stomach.

And now, brave Jamie, who is also profoundly deaf, has been chosen as one of the winners of an Inspirational Child prize at the WellChild Awards.

The youngster, who lives in Colchester, with his mother, Thandi, was picked as one of a handful of winners from hundreds of nominees from across the UK.

Thandi put him for the award and said: “It’s been hideous.

“He’s been really ill but thankfully he’s doing far better now.

“He’s been in and out of Colchester General Hospital and faced resuscitation but his attitude towards it all is just amazing.

“He can be taken into hospital and when he comes out he’ll be high-fiving the doctors while I’m just thinking ‘Here we go again’.

“Thankfully, I have some fantastic friends who have offered so much emotional support.”

Jamie, who previously went to Queen Boudica Primary School in Colchester, has been fitted with cochlear implants. He has learnt sign language and has recently started at Mary Hare School for deaf children in Newbury.

But despite moving to the school in Berkshire, Jamie hasn’t let distance get in the way of the friendships he made at the Colchester school.

Thandi said: “Going to school was a sociable thing for him because otherwise he would go to hospital and nothing else.

“And even though he’s moved, when we come home every weekend there’s one friend in particular who he’ll always see which is brilliant.”

Jamie also took part in the Parallel London 1K Super Sensory Run in his walker to raise money for charity and is now training for another fundraising event next year.

Thandi said: “He has always been determined to be independent and his mischievous character shines through everything.

“I know winning a WellChild Award will hugely boost his confidence.

“When I told him how proud I am of him, his face lit up with the biggest grin ever and he signed, ‘I’m smiling’."

The awards celebrate the courage of children living with serious conditions and honour the professionals who help them and their families.

A panel of leading health professionals and young people who have faced serious illness themselves have the difficult job of choosing the winners.

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, is a WellChild patron and often attends the awards ceremony alongside a number of other celebrity guests.

Jamie will be off to collect his prize at a star-studded event at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on September 4.