FIVE special children were rewarded for their bravery and courage at a glitzy celebrity fundraiser.

Everton defender Phil Neville’s wife Julie, yesterday organised a huge children’s party which saw youngsters and their families chauffeur driven to the Runamok play centre, Haslingden, in Bentley cars.

Julie and Phil held the Hallowe’en fun day to raise cash for Manchester’s New Children’s Hospital Appeal. They became patrons of the hospital appeal after doctors at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, saved the life of their premature daughter Isabella.

Later, Molly Dixon, seven, from Rawtenstall, Juvairiyya Patel, 11, from Blackburn, Jack Henshaw, six, from Bury, Ruby Stinson, five, from Bury, and Thomas Gardner, from Radcliffe, took centre stage at the Children of Courage Awards fundraiser.

The youngsters were whittled down from dozens of nominations and spent the night mingling with footballers Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Nicky Butt and Andy Cole as well as DJ Mike Toolan, and singer Natasha Hamilton.

The appeal is aiming to raise £20million to pay for specialist equipment and children’s accommodation at the new hospital due to open in Manchester next year.