IT'S hard work being a courageous award winner as this picture of seven-year-old Ted McCaffery proves.

The Grange Junior School youngster was tucked up in bed with his teddy and Pride of Britain award during a whirlwind 24 hours which saw him rub shoulders with stars on the red carpet before being swept off in his own jet to Disneyland Paris.

Ted was awarded the prize after raising more than £1,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to help other poorly youngsters following open heart surgery in May 2013.

The charity nominated him in the young fundraiser category after making him a young ambassador following his fundraising efforts.

These included a mini-triathlon just months after his surgery and launching social media campaign #showusyourbear where people take a picture with their bear and donate to Alder Hey.

Mum Jo said: “I was the proudest mummy in the world walking the red carpet with Ted, and we want to thank everyone for making the night so special.

“We had known since the end of August but could finally tell him a few nights before the awards. We’re so excited Alder Hey has also got the recognition they deserve.”

Ted collected his prize from chart-topper Olly Murs before they posed for snaps together in Ted’s private jet ahead of the dream trip.

Celebrities including X Factor star Alexandra Burke and girl band The Saturdays also had pictures with Ted.

However mum Jo said the youngster, who spent 24 hours in intensive care, nine days in hospital and three months off school following a six-hour operation to repair a damaged valve, was most excited to meet pop supremo Simon Cowell.

She added: “It’s been an amazing experience. We have been treated like royalty and the whole trip has been a dream come true.

“Simon Cowell was the one person he said he really wanted to meet, so we were delighted to see him.

“He’s the luckiest boy in the world and we’ve been really humbled by the award as everyone knows what an amazing place Alder Hey is.”

Guy Rands, head teacher of the Grange Junior School, said: “Ted has a kind, optimistic and pragmatic nature, and engages really easily with all the people around him, children and adults alike.

“Staff, pupils and parents have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the fundraising activities Ted has engineered over recent months.

“This reflects the high regard in which he is held within our community as well as his ability to indirectly motivate others by the way in which he has conducted himself through his personal challenges.

“The award is richly deserved recognition and warmly welcomed by all those of us who know Ted.”

Clare White, director of charities at Alder Hey said: “Ted is always trying to think of new ways he can help raise money for our new hospital and make things better for other children who come to Alder Hey.

“He is a true inspiration and a more than worthy winner of such a prestigious award.”