Children who have achieved success against the odds will receive recognition for their efforts at a special awards ceremony this month.

The nominees for the Chantelle Bleau Adversity Award, aged between 11 and 16, have all demonstrated resilience in difficult personal circumstances.

Nominations were made by their teachers and the finalists will be judged by the trustees of the fund.

The winner and two runners up will be announced at the award ceremony to be held on Thursday, June 26, at the Abundant Life Centre, Bradford, at which a mystery celebrity will present the award.

The winner will receive a certificate and a £50 voucher and £100 will be donated to the overall winner's school.

The seven nominees are: Hanifa Rashid, of Beckfoot Grammar, Bingley; Kelly Mudd, of Bradford Community Cathedral College; Kirsty Wachnuik, of Buttershaw High School, Bradford; Peter Sawyekyj, of Dixons City Technology College, Bradford; Amy Turner, of Queensbury School, Damien Kershaw, of Rhodesway School, Allerton, Bradford; and Mohammed Sohaeb Hussain, of Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College, Westgate Hill, Bradford.

Hanifa, 13, suffers from Candal Regression Syndrome and is wheelchair-bound.

"Hanifa never lets her disability get in her way. She participates in whatever activity she can, even in physical education.

"She is confident, hard working and fiercely independent," said her teacher Bridget Atta.

Kelly, 16, has multiple cancerous tumours and regularly undergoes chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite her illness Kelly is described as an inspiration by her teacher Paulene Rossiter.

"Kelly is an inspiration to everyone at the school and is a truly remarkable person. She is determined to pass as many exams as possible and requests extra work regularly.

"I have never met anyone as positive as Kelly and I truly hope that she wins the award as I know it will mean a lot to her," said Mrs Rossiter.

Peter Sawyckyi, 16, has already received a Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award for his dedication at school despite having to look after his mother who suffers with Multiple Sclerosis.

Peter attends Dixons City Technology College, as did Chantelle Bleau, in whose memory the fund was set up.

Chantelle Bleau died tragically at the age of 16 after inhaling gas from an aerosol can in 1997.

After her death, her parents Pat and Richard set up the Chantelle Bleau Memorial Fund to reduce substance abuse and help those affected by it.

The charity runs a support centre in Bradford and raises awareness of the dangers of volatile substance abuse (VSA) in schools and other young people's organisations.

The award for Outstanding Achievement Against Adversity was set up to commemorate Chantelle's sympathy, kindness and encouragement to others during her short life.