A YOUNG boy has been nominated for a national award for his unstinting, dedicated friendship with his best mate.

Eleven-year-old Finnley Richman from Mudeford has been recognised in the national Buddy Award programme organised by the Haemophilia Society and care company Nordisk Limited.

Finnley met best friend Joshua Jacobs, who suffers from haemophilia, three years ago when he joined Mudeford Junior School as a new student.

The schoolboy said: “When I found out Joshua had haemophilia I didn’t know what it was but during the years I have known him I have learnt a lot about it.

“I have learnt about how when he bleeds he bleeds on the inside and when he gets hurt he hurts more than anyone else apart from other haemophiliacs.”

Joshua said about his best friend: “Finnley helps me against bullies and also plays with me when others don’t want to because they think I’m different or weird.

“We usually like to play Pokemon.

“In my secondary school there are a lot of kids older than me who don’t understand what I’ve been through and the condition I have.

“I know Finnley is my bestest friend in the whole wide world, who will help me and I can tell him all my secrets about how I really feel inside.”

On Monday, 160 children and their families, together with their nominees, will travel to London Zoo for the inaugural Buddy Award ceremony which is being hosted by children’s TV presenters Dick and Dom.

Chris James, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society said: “The lack of public awareness of such disorders means that families and friends take on a great deal of responsibility for their sibling or friend and this often goes unnoticed.

“The awards celebrate the invaluable contribution they make while also drawing public attention to this poorly understood condition.”