A 12-year-old Batchley boy born with a rare kidney disease has been nominated for a Young Hero Award in recognition of his spirit and bravery in dealing with the condition.

Vinay Ladwa, of Batchley Road, has haemolytic uraenaic syndrome and has had to undergo years of blood exchange operations and a failed transplant, writes Melina Cannon.

He was scared to swallow food for six years, worried his kidneys would not be able to cope, and now needs about four hours of dialysis three times a week and takes 10 sets of tablets and a growth hormone each day.

The awards, run by The National Kidney Research Fund, were launched by Karren Brady, managing director of Birmingham City Football Club at the Diana, Princess of Wales Birmingham Children's Hospital on Thursday.

Vinay's family thought the trauma was over when he was given a transplant operation aged six but after 12 anxious days his body rejected the kidney and Vinay had to undergo a further operation to remove it.

His mum Sharda said: "Vinay looks very healthy from the outside but inside his body is turning on itself, yet he is always smiling and full of joy.

"It was heartbreaking when the kidney was rejected because we thought we were in the right direction after the transplant and God had listened to our prayers, but it did not work that way.

"The family support each other and also get a lot of support from Vinay's school, Lodge Farm Middle School, as all the teachers and staff are very understanding."

The awards will be presented at a national ceremony in June and are meanwhile being run regionally, with each region selecting two Young Heroes - one who has kidney disease and the other who has supported a family members or friend with the disease.