THE nominations for this year's Courage Awards are:

Phil Clark

ON THE outside, Phil Clark is a 39-year-old dad of three.

What you may not know is that he and his three children have a condition that can cause internal self-decapitation.

But you would never know as Phil and his family do not let their condition hold them back.

The condition, known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, affects one in 5,000 people and is an incurable genetic disorder that weakens the collagen in the body.

The surgery needed to ease the condition isn’t available on the NHS so he has to manage the best he can.

With the help of the community, the family were able to raise just short of £100,000 to send him to Barcelona to get the surgery he needed. And he may need to go back.

But even though the symptoms have returned, a nomination for the Heart of Ulverston Awards has brought great cheer to the family.

He said: “I’m not sure what I have done to deserve this but it’s very humbling.

“The community have played a massive part in my life and I’m so delighted. We can go out together as a family and enjoy a lovely night.

“The community rallied round and helped us to fundraise and I can never thank the people enough for what they have done for us. It will be a night filled with good stories and positivity.

“You see lots of stories in the national press about communities coming together, but that only tells you part of the story. Ulverston is a fantastic town and I feel very lucky to live here.

“I’m so happy to have been nominated and I don’t feel worthy, but it sums up what a fantastic town I live in.”

JACK TALBOT

In the space of a year, Jack Talbot has gone from near death to making the final two of the courage awards.

He suffered life-threatening injuries after being involved in a drunk hit-and-run in July 2017.

He was placed in a coma for 13 days and spent five weeks in hospital.

Despite his injuries, Jack has made a remarkable recovery and is back helping the local community as a paramedic.

Jack has raised thousands through fundraising for the North West Air Ambulance including a coast-coast journey from Walney to Wear.

Jack has also been nominated anonymously for his outstanding fundraising work this year with Cycling Weekly Magazine – a national award ceremony held in London.

Jack, who plans on doing annual fundraising events in the future, said he is blown away with the nomination.

He said: “I can’t believe I have been nominated, it is amazing.

“I’m not quite sure how I have made it to the final two but it has left me speechless.

“It’s hugely surreal to be recognised and I’m incredibly grateful.

“From where I was 12 months ago, to where I am now, it is amazing. I have worked so hard to get where I am as a paramedic.

“All my friends and family are proud of me and it’s crazy at how much I have achieved in the last year.

“I would like to thank everyone who put my name forward for this award, I can’t thank them enough

“I’ve had so much help along the way to get me to where I am today.

“And to be a nominee will be a great feeling.”