A TEENAGE boy battling leukaemia who put his own health troubles on hold to help those in need during the coronavirus crisis has been honoured in an international awards ceremony.

Sahil Usman, 14, from Blackburn, was presented with The Diana Award during a virtual ceremony on July 1, which recognised more than 180 children and young people from across the world.

The QEGS student, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2018, delivered around 300 food hampers to elderly people in Blackburn at the beginning of lockdown after seeing the devastating scenes caused by people panic buying in supermarkets.

He also won the Trinity College London Education Achievement Award at Blackburn's Fusion Awards in July last year.

READ: Trinity College London Education Achievement Award presented to cancer patient

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Speaking about the teenager and why he was chosen to be honoured, a spokesperson for The Diana Award said: "Sahil is a remarkable young person, who despite going through several courses of chemotherapy, has remained determined to help others.

"Over the few days he was allowed home, Sahil crafted various objects by hand to sell at local schools and raise funds to buy presents for other children in hospital.

"He strives to raise awareness through his radio show and awareness programme, which he delivers in local schools, explaining the impact of cancer on a person’s life and ways in which one can support the cause.

"His actions have not only put a smile on many children’s faces but have also inspired others to take action to help."

READ: Leukaemia teen's emergency COVID-19 hampers for Blackburn's elderly

Along with 183 other inspirational children and young people from around the world, Sahil was presented with The Diana Award in a virtual ceremony on what would've been Princess Diana's 59th birthday.

Established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, the award is given to people who inspire and mobilise their own generation to service their communities through campaigning, volunteering, fundraising, fighting injustice or overcoming extreme life challenges.

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The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, appeared in a congratulatory video message to give a special mention to those people who have been awarded for their work on issues related to race and injustice.

He said: “I am so incredibly proud to be part of these awards as they honour the legacy of my mother and bring out the very best in people like you.

"You are all doing such incredible work and at a time of great uncertainty, you have found the power and inspiration inside of you to make a positive mark on the world, and I love that The Diana Award is able to help you do it.

"I see the greatest hope in people like you and I’m confident about the world's future and its ability to heal because it is in your hands."

The Diana Award full virtual ceremony is available to watch at www.youtube.com/user/dianaaward.

The 2020 Roll of Honour listing all the year’s 184 recipients can be found at diana-award.org.uk/roll-of-honour-2020.