A SURVIVOR of the Manchester terror attack said being recognised by his local community was the ‘highest honour’ he could receive.

Adam Lawler, aged 15, who was caught up in the arena bombing was honoured on Friday with the Our Teen Hero Award at The Pride of Bury 2017.

Just days after he received a standing ovation from his community, Adam went on to present the emergency services of Manchester with a Pride of Britain award, flanked by Ed Sheeran and Prince William.

Adam said: “To be recognised by my community is the highest honour because it’s being recognised by people who live near you, people you have a bond with, that community spirit.”

Adam received one of 14 awards at the Pride of Bury Awards, organised by Dawn Fidler, the mother of Superjosh and founder of the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity.

Adam said he was ‘amazed’ to have won, adding: “I’m happy I won and can bring inspiration to our wonderful town.

“This platform has given me the opportunity to show the world Manchester and that we are a strong people and we cannot be beaten by anybody.

“I want people to have the courage to be Mancunian and have the courage to be proud of where you are from.”

His mum, Sally, said: “It’s like watching someone else, it’s hard to believe it’s happening to him but he’s not got his award because he survived, it’s how he’s dealt with it since.

“When he was in hospital he was worried about his friends and how they were coping with it.”

Mrs Lawler told The Bury Times Adam was recovering well from the injuries he received in the attack on the Manchester Arena, at one point it was feared he would lose the sight in his right eye.

Mrs Lawler said: “His eye is better than we could have hoped for, it isn’t much farther behind his other one.”

On Monday Adam and his mother travelled to the Pride of Britain awards, hosted by Carol Vorderman.

Adam was invited to present the Manchester Medics with a special recognition award for their efforts following the Arena bombing.

Adam presented the award with Prince William and Ed Sheeran, he said: “It was quite an experience. Quite amazing.”

After the awards Adam had the chance to meet a whole host of celebrities, taking pictures with the likes of Jimmy Carr, Paddy McGuinness, Holly Willoughby and rock and roll legend Ozzy Osbourne.

Adam said: “I had a 20 minute chat with Ed Sheeran, mostly about life and his role in Game of Thrones.

“You never think you’re going to meet these people, but I was in the same room as them.

“I met Paddy McGuinness and I told him I watched all of his comedy, like Max and Paddy and Phoenix Nights while I was in hospital.”

The awards will be shown on ITV on November 7, 2017 at 8pm.

Alongside Adam, a variety of other unsung heroes were honoured at the Pride of Bury Awards, which were held at the The Village Hotel, Waterfold Business Park, Rochdale Road.

Miss Fidler said after the event: “It was absolutely incredible. It was the third Pride of Bury awards, which are organised as part of my Josh’s legacy.

“It brings the people of Bury together to celebrate some truly special people.

“There was something extra special about this year, I think it’s because of everything Manchester has gone through this year.

“We celebrated all the emergency services, there were people there from A&E, the ambulance service, the fire brigade and the police, all in uniform, who jointly accepted the Emergency Hero Award.”

Greater Manchester Police Inspector, Russell Magnall, said: “We were humbled but delighted to be awarded a pride of Bury award alongside our colleagues from the other emergency services.

“We all felt honoured to be in the presence of so many other inspirational people from Bury.

“Listening to the stories was quite emotional but showed the courage and resilience of people from our town.

“It is an honour to serve the communities of this town and we thank you for the opportunity to join you on this special night.”

Steve Wilcock from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said: “I was amazed at the courage shown by, in some cases, very young people and it was great to see them recognised.

“We were invited along with GMP and NWAS on to the stage to collectively receive an award for services to the community of Bury, and I think we were all humbled by the applause.”

Seven-year-old Jacob Graham, received the Our Little Fundraising Hero Award. For his birthday he refused presents and asked for donations to Bury Hospice in memory of his grandma, Sue Graham, he aimed for £150, instead raising more than £400.

His mum, Emma, said: “His little face was a picture when his name was called out. He was so chuffed and asked us if we were proud of him, which of course we were.”

Paul and Ben Fox, a father and son from Bury, who run charity auctions online and in the last two years have raised £17,000 in two years.

Paul said: “We didn’t expect it at all. It was a very nice surprise. I was bubbling with pride winning, especially for our amazing son Ben.”

Joyce Power, aged 91, collected the Our Volunteering Hero Award for her efforts with the voluntary dementia cafes. She said she was delighted with the award.

The Our Professional Caring Hero Award went to Helen Ashwell, who is the school nurse at Elms Bank, who always go above and beyond.

She said: “I couldn’t believe I’d been nominated. I was speechless which is very unusual for me.

“It made me feel very special that someone took the time to nominate me for this award.

“I am so lucky that I’ve got a job that I love, and to receive an award for doing something you love, well it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Peel Brow School teacher, Julie Nelson, took home the Our Teaching Hero Award.

She said: “Being nominated then shortlisted for the Teaching Hero award was a wonderful honour - a lunch break phone call that I will never forget.

“On the night meeting so many people who put others first was inspiring - there was a real sense of pride to be there as a finalist and to be in the company of so many people making a real difference to the lives of others.”

The biggest prize of the night, the The Joshua Wilson Ultimate Hero Award, hand picked by Miss Fidler went to the Read family.

Ben and Sam Read, lost their mother, Hayley, in July, she had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease just 12 months earlier.

She and her sons raised money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association before her death. Her sons have continued fundraising in her name.

Ben Read said: “Sam and I had a fabulous night at the awards evening. It was such an honour to be nominated and to be picked by Dawn as her choice to win the ultimate hero award.

“It was a nice surprise for us and will have made our mum very proud indeed.”