A SOUTHCREST teenager born with a rare kidney disease has been given special recognition at a recent ceremony.

Vinay Ladwa is busy studying for 10 GCSEs and eventually wants to run his own restaurant.

And his achievements and positive attitude to life led to him being given the award by The National Kidney Research Fund.

The Kingsley College pupil, who has Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome, is currently sitting his mock GCSE exams while still attending Birmingham Children's Hospital three times a week for dialysis.

The 15 year old said: "I hope to pass all my exams and then stay on in the sixth form to do my A-levels. After that, I want to go to university and then start my own business running a restaurant."

When he was just six, Vinay underwent a kidney transplant but his body rejected the new kidney and he has had to have dialysis ever since. He is still on the waiting list for another transplant.

Children from all over central England gathered at Nottingham Forest Football Club for the Young Hero Awards last month.

The awards celebrated the achievements of young people under the age of 18 who have a renal condition and the care and support children give to relatives who have kidney disease.

Vinay also won an award two years ago.

A spokesman for the fund said: "Even though his health gives his family much cause for concern, they are very proud of his achievements and his attitude to life. His ability to take setbacks in his stride makes people want to help him and leads his family to have real faith in his future."