'Extraordinary young man' honoured at WellChild Awards

TEEN DECLAN HAS RAISED THOUSANDS FOR CHARITY DESPITE LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS

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A TEEN who has raised thousands of pounds for charity despite suffering from a life-threatening illness met Prince Harry as he picked up a prestigious award.

Declan Bitmead, 17, from Oxted, was hailed as an "extraordinary young man" and congratulated for his strength, generosity and determination to “give back’, while coping with many challenges.

He was given just a 20 per cent chance of survival when he became ill as a six-year-old, when his life changed dramatically.

He developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare and life-threatening condition triggered by a common treatment for tonsillitis.

He lost 96 per cent of his skin, hair and nails and spent weeks in hospital including time on life support - but defied the medics’ odds.

The illness left him with permanent sight impairment and ongoing medical challenges, but he has shown remarkable resilience, relearning how to walk, read and write while managing long absences from school and the emotional impact of his condition.