A YOUNG patient from Weymouth has received a Special Hero Award for the first time in Dorset County Hospital history.

Leo Ndoi, 13, received the accolade at the monthly Hospital Hero Awards, which recognise staff who have gone above and beyond to help others.

Leo was nominated by play specialist Julie Goodall for his overwhelming kindness in supporting another young patient through a blood test.

The schoolboy, who attends Atlantic Academy on Portland and was receiving treatment for a liver infection, said: “I was in the waiting room and saw a little boy called Louis, who was crying.

“I realised he was afraid of needles, so I just tried to take his mind off it; I was talking to him about football and his hobbies, and the staff managed to do what they needed.”

Leo, whose father passed away from cancer almost five years ago, said he was “honoured” to receive the award but thinks what he did shouldn’t be out of the ordinary.

“It should be how everyone would react in that situation,” he said. “Everyone should be behaving this way.”

Ward staff were overwhelmed by Leo and agreed that his actions deserved recognition.

His mother, Pasqualina Ndoi, said: “It didn’t surprise me because that’s just who Leo is, but the nurses said they’d never seen a boy his age react like that before. Leo kept saying he didn’t understand why he’d got an award, that he hadn’t done anything. He said, ‘Louis had the courage already, I just helped him find it.’ But I was really chuffed to have his actions recognised.”

The mother and son moved to Dorset soon after the death of Mr Ndoi, and after two months off school, Leo has recovered well from his liver illness.

Mrs Ndoi added: “He’s always looking out for people and helping anyone who needs help. Everyone adores him.”

The Hospital Hero Awards at Dorset County Hospital invite patients, family members, colleagues and carers to nominate staff who have provided exceptional service or care. Leo’s case is the first time a patient has received such an award.

To see a list of winners or to make a nomination, head to www.dchft.nhs.uk/patients/hospital-hero-awards.