BRAVE Barnoldswick girl Lauren Richmond will find out today whether she has won the prestigious Child of Achievement Award 2001.

The awards are presented to 150 children up to the age of 16 from across the UK.

These are special children who, by their everyday tasks to help others or their ability to overcome personal disability or illness, are judged worthy of the title "Child of Achievement".

If she is chosen, Lauren, who has been off school with a nasty cold this week, will travel to London for the awards ceremony this Sunday.

It will be held in the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, and attended by a host of celebrity guests. They include TV presenter Gaby Roslin, TV presenter and the Child of Achievement charity's patron Bob Holness, Falklands hero Simon Weston, and singer and TV presenter Jane McDonald.

Lauren is hoping to be able to meet Riverdance and Lord of the Dance creator and star Michael Flatley, as she is a big fan of dance.

Six-year-old Lauren was diagnosed in October 1999 with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The treatment for this takes two years, with the first six to nine months involving intensive chemotherapy, with all its associated problems.

She coped wonderfully through that period and was described by her consultant paediatric haematologist as always being very smiley.

Now she is home again and on a maintenance programme of daily drugs and regular visits to the clinic.

It will be next Christmas before she knows if she is clear of the disease, and even then there will be regular check-ups.

Lauren has not only coped with her treatment but has deeply impressed others with her strength of spirit and determination to win.

Inspired by her resilience, the local community has raised over £7,000 for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

Events have included a charity "Bikeathon" last summer, a golf competition organised by the Lady Captain at Ghyll Golf Club, and a "Stars in Barlick" event run by the Chamber of Trade.

Local shop worker Paul Bracewell was so inspired by Lauren that he completed a sponsored parachute jump to raise funds for Leukaemia Research.

Lauren's mum, Louise Richmond said: "I'm really proud of Lauren for coping so well with all that she's been through.

"She is still just a young child but she's had to grow up so quickly and has lost some of her childhood."

Lauren was nominated for the award by her headteacher at Coates Lane Primary School, Sue Holloway.

She said: "She's such a lovely little girl and to look at her you'd never know she's had to go through all that she has. She's always smiling and whatever comes her way she just grabs it with both hands.

"The reason I nominated her is that she was diagnosed soon after starting school and all the time she has been off she just couldn't wait to get back to school."

The awards are now in their 20th year and one of their patrons is former Prime Minister John Major.

He commented: "Each year brings yet more stories of the Award Winners' compassion, determination and sheer courage against the background of many personal hardships.

"All those attending the ceremony cannot fail to be moved and inspired by the example set by the youngest members of our society."