WHEN terrible things happen to those so young it is hard to make sense of it all.


Mason Naylor from Dentons Green and Joey Tildesley-Devine from Queens Park have both had difficult times.
Mason was only 10 when was diagnosed with stage 3B Hodgkin Lymphoma in February 2018 after his mum spotted a lump on his neck.


He underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment before heading out to the US to undergo a special treatment called proton beam therapy, that specifically targets the disease.


After finally getting the all clear he has been back on the rugby pitch with his team-mates. 


Meanwhile, Joey Tildesley-Devine was also only 10 when he suffered a brain haemorrhage while at school last year.


He’s had to relearn how to walk and talk and have an operation on his head to remove the veins that caused the incident.


However, despite Joey having to do all this to aid his recovery, he has also helped raise thousands of pounds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for thanking them for saving his life. 


The judging panel just could not choose between two such brave boys, so both were named joint Child of Courage winners. 


Speaking to Mason, now 11, on winning his award he said: “When I heard about Joey’s story I thought he should win because he’s been through more than me, so I’m happy we both won.


“I am very proud.”


His emotional mum and dad Sabina and Mark Naylor, aged 42 and 43 respectively, added: “After what he’s been through to see him so happy now is just amazing, so to win this as well is just everything to us.


“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster but it's nice to be here and celebrate both boys.”


Joey’s, also 11, who goes to Cowley International College alongside Mason, said: “I am proud to win but I thought Mason should win, so it’s nice to win together.”


His mum and dad Karen and Nick Devine, aged 41 and 38, said: “It is just so emotional, we’ve not got the words really.


“Nearly a year ago today on November 16 he had his haemorrhage which meant he could not come to last year’s Pride of St Helens Awards (alongside others from the Lost Castles project).


“So to be here this year and see how far he has come just means so much.


“It’s just surreal knowing where we’ve been in a year.


“We are just so proud.”