THE inspirational sister of a Kidderminster toddler who lost his two-year fight with leukaemia has received a national award in recognition of helping to set up the charity Cords4Life.

Ellie Louise Harris-Beard, a Baxter College student, was presented with a Diana Award, which marked its 15th anniversary this year, during a reception at Downing Street.

The Diana Champion Fundraiser Award is given to young people who raise money for good causes and was set up by Princes William and Harry in honour of their mother, Princess Diana.

Ministers and captains of industry joined music and TV stars including Ortisé Williams, Jodie Marsh, Sinitta, Carrie Grant, and Britain’s Got Talent runners-up Twist and Pulse, in showing their support to the award winners.

Ellie, 13, was presented with her award from JLS star Ortisé after encouraging £25,000 of umbilical cord donations through the Cords4Life charity, following the death of her baby brother Charlie.

Alongside the work Ellie has done for Chords4Life, she created the facebook page Help Save Baby Charlie Harris-Beard, to urge the public to come forward and register to be bone marrow donors after Charlie was given just three months to live in 2012.

Prime Minister David Cameron, patron of the Diana Award, said: “I am honoured to be a patron of this wonderful living legacy to the late Princess, which recognises young people for their contribution to society.

“I want to congratulate everyone involved on this special 15th anniversary and I look forward to seeing thousands more young people recognised and inspired in the years ahead.”