A YOUNG Kidderminster diabetes sufferer who raised money to help other children with the disease has been handed a prestigious award by a multi-million selling pop star.

Joab Price, from Kidderminster, was honoured for his extraordinary fundraising efforts at the inaugural British Citizen Youth Awards.

The 11-year-old was handed his medal by Pussycat Dolls star Kimberley Wyatt at a glittering ceremony held at the House of Lords.

He was one of 20 children who received one of the awards, which aim to honour young people who have positively impacted society, communities, charities or other good causes.

Joab was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2012 and admitted to hospital. And it was while he was in there that he noticed there was a lack of funding for people who suffer from the disease.

Since then he has single-handedly raised £1,500 for the Worcestershire Paediatric Diabetes Team, supporting the children and families he has met on his journey in and out of hospital.

Joab’s generous contribution to the team has enabled the nurses from the paediatric team to organise events for the young patients, including Christmas parties, summer BBQs, weekends away and various other social outings.

These prove invaluable for the patient’s development and provide extra support and education for the children and their families.

Since forming close bonds with his nurses, Joab said he wants to continue to support the team to ensure they have sufficient funds for their social activities.

Next year he has big plans to raise even more money and has inspired other diabetic friends to raise awareness for the very important cause.

The ceremony was organised in association with Specsavers, whose co-founder Dame Mary Perkins said: “The young people that become the recipients of the first British Citizen Youth Awards will, I am sure, inspire other youngsters to emulate their good work and embody the spirit of transparency, integrity, determination and achievement that define these awards.”