A FIVE-year-old Carnoustie boy has accepted a national award for his courage from Prince Harry.
Ollie Holt claimed a prestigious 2015 WellChild Award at the Hilton in Park Lane, London, winning the Inspirational Child category.
WellChild is a national charity for seriously ill children, and the awards honour children suffering from chronic illnesses or complex conditions, along with professionals dedicated to helping sick children and their families.
Ollie — who suffered a huge seizure at the age of two and has since battled repeat seizures and brain surgery — beat more than 100 nominees to the prize.
His mother Emma Holt, who nominated him, said: “It’s been an amazing experience that Ollie will never forget. We talked to Prince Harry about Ollie’s favourite football team, Dunfermline Athletic, and he asked about Ollie’s operation.”
Ollie has a rare condition which causes irregular blood vessels on his brain — known as cavernomas — and bleeding in one such vessel caused a seizure which initially left Ollie paralysed in his left side.
His seizures required regular medication and eventual brain surgery but despite extreme fatigue and pain, Ollie has remained cheerful in the face of adversity.
He even took part in a fundraising and awareness raising walk across the Tay Bridge for the Cavernoma Alliance UK when he was plagued with tiredness.
Emma said: “The whole family are so proud of the way Ollie has coped with even the greatest challenges. He’s been so brave throughout.
“He was smiling as he went into surgery and the first thing he did on waking up in intensive care was to give us a huge grin.”
Prince Harry, the charity’s Royal Patron, said at the event last night: “The stories we have heard are moving beyond words. They remind us of the utter insignificance of our everyday worries. Yet, one of the things that always stands out is the positivity shown by those in the most difficult and testing circumstances.”