Prince Harry to attend sick children awards ceremony

Prince Harry will today attend the glittering awards ceremony of a leading charity dedicated to the needs of sick children and their families.

Harry is patron of WellChild and will join youngsters and their parents helped by the charity, and staff and supporters of the organisation, at an exclusive hotel in central London this evening.

Also among the guests will be the charity's celebrity supporters including Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, X Factor finalists Only The Young and presenter Alex Brooker.

WellChild is best known for its children's nurses who provide specialist medical care and direct support in the home for chronically ill youngsters.

Before the awards ceremony Harry will meet all the winners and their families at a reception.

Later during the ceremony - which will honour both children and medical carers - the prince will present the award for most inspirational child, in the four to six age group category, and give a speech at the end of the night.

Harry is expected to commend the courage of seriously ill children and their families, and thank those who care for them and offer support.

Colin Dyer, WellChild's chief executive, said: "The awards are a perfect demonstration of WellChild's commitment to helping as many seriously ill children, young people and their families as we can.

"They embody our aim of raising awareness of the needs of this group of children who are too often overlooked."