Denham faces a lifetime of ops but never complains

The next 12 months were a nightmare for Denham and his family.

"We were all totally shocked," said his mum Tracey.

"It was like the bottom fell out of our world."

Denham endured a year of chemotherapy and two months of radiotherapy. He lost his hair and missed a year of school, Denham pictured aged 13 going through his treatment.

He suffered permanent nerve damage.

Denham was told he was in remission in April 2007, but has since had to undergo two major operations and minor surgery to treat the side effects of the tumour and chemotherapy.

Despite all this Tracey, 44, said he has never lost his sense of humour and has still managed to achieve excellent exam results.

"He has been left with lifelong problems but he never complains. He just gets on with life the way it is now. He missed a year of school, but didn't fall behind and passed his SATs with good results.

"He has been really brave and has kept his spirits up. He even made me laugh while he was having treatment. The cancer has left him with a weakness in his legs so he cannot go out a lot, but he does not let it get him down."

Tracey cannot help but feel proud of him for the way he has handled what life has thrown at him.

"It has been going on for almost two and a half years now and I'm amazed by the strength he's had to keep going."

She said: "I'm just so proud that he's still here and that he's looking to the future."

She said his caring personality had helped him through, as well as support from his family including dad Glen, sister Ashleigh, 18, and brother Jordan, 17, Denham pictured below with a dolphin in Florida.

Tracey has nominated Denham for the Gazette's Community Champion Child of Courage award, which is sponsored by Northumbrian Water.

How to nominate

Evening Gazette Community Champions aims to recognise Teesside's unsung heroes.

Nominations are being sought for the following categories.

• Outstanding Act of Bravery, sponsored by Cleveland Police.

• Champion Child of Courage, sponsored by Northumbrian Water.

• Young Community Champion.

• Champion Carer, sponsored by Nuffield Hospital Tees.

• Champion Business in the Community Award, sponsored by Stockton Riverside College.

• Community Champion.

• Children's Champion Award, sponsored by Middlesbrough College.

• Champion Volunteer/ Charity Worker.

• Champion Health Worker.

• Champion Teacher, sponsored by Middlesbrough College.

We will publish the stories of as many nominees as possible and finalists will attend the awards ceremony on November 14 at the Thistle Hotel, Middlesbrough.

For details or a nomination form log onto www.gazettelive.co.uk/communitychampions, contact Debbie Wilde, event executive on 0191 2016393 or email debbie.wilde@ncjmedia.co.uk

Send your entries to Elaine Blackburne, Deputy News Editor, Evening Gazette, Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3AZ.

Closing date for applications is September 26 2008.