Ali named child of greatest courage

Ali Ismaeel Abbas, whose plight touched millions after he lost both his arms in an Allied bombing raid on Baghdad, was today honoured at Westminster Abbey.

The 12-year-old, who also suffered 35 per cent burns and lost more than a dozen of his relatives in the attack, was named International Child of Courage.

He said: "I am delighted to be receiving this award. It is a great honour."

The schoolboy's terrible suffering provoked global sympathy in March when he was pictured in his hospital bed in Baghdad at the height of the war on Iraq.

Thousands responded to appeals for help and Ali became the face of the Iraqi people's struggle.

Within weeks he was transferred to a hospital in Kuwait for emergency surgery, but was later brought to Britain, where he was finally fitted with prosthetic arms last month. His recovery has involved several painful operations.

Ali was nominated for the award by the 1992 Children of Courage winners Hassan and Hussein Saleh - Britain's first conjoined twins to have survived separation - who visited him at Roehampton Hospital.

The twins were among a number of previous winners from the past 30 years who saw Ali, wearing a black tuxedo, receive his medal at the Abbey. He was presented with his award by Lara Morgan, 10, who struck up a close friendship with Ali two days after he arrived in Britain in August, despite the language barrier.

When the young Iraqi was asked which British celebrity he would most like to have present his medal today, he replied: "Lara - she's my biggest star."

Woman's Own editor Elsa McAlonan, whose magazine sponsors the awards, said: "Earlier this year Hassan and Hussein visited Ali at Roehampton and told us how much they were inspired by his spirit and the bravery he has shown. This gave us the idea to create his very special award. Each child truly deserves the Woman's Own Children of Courage Award. Their stories are both inspirational and humbling."

Among the celebrities attending today's awards ceremony were World Cup rugby star Josh Lewsey, TV presenter Gabby Logan, celebrity interior designer Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen, former This Morning presenter John Leslie, singer Louise Redknapp, Fame Academy winner Alex Parks and England goalkeeper David James.

Among those honoured today was John Lyons, from Sevenoaks, whose quick thinking saved his father's life after a horrifying speedboat accident. His father Andrew, 46, a surgeon at Guy's Hospital, was water-skiing off Palma, Majorca, when the boat spun out of control, knocking out his wife Fran篩se, who was at the wheel.

The boat hit Mr Lyons, almost severing his arm, but 11-year-old John regained control of the boat, dived in, dragged his father to the surface and screamed for help. Today, his father said: "I am so proud of him. I was convinced I was going to die."

John, who earlier met Prime Minister Tony Blair at a reception in Downing Street, recalled the rescue. He said: "I didn't really know what was happening. I couldn't see very well. Although I was really scared I had to do something."