Tears started welling as soon as quadruple-amputee Harmonie-Rose Allen took to Daily Mirror Pride of Britain the stage.
Doctors held out little hope when, aged 10 months, she was rushed to hospital in a critical condition with meningococcal septicaemia.
It had damaged her legs, arms and the tip of her nose, leaving surgeons with no choice but to amputate.
As well as enduring more than 10 operations, the seven-year-old has excelled at sports and raised more than £100,000 for charity.
Harmonie-Rose learned she had won the Child of Courage award after being surprised by pop star Ed Sheeran.
Host Carol Vorderman told the audience she had designed her glittery awards event dress herself, to which Harmonie-Rose quickly added: “And sequins!”
Asked what advice she had for people feeling down after the last difficult year, she said: “I would say, just never give up, and keep going.”
The youngster from Bath was presented with her award by comedian Joel Dommett, Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon.
Simon told her: “This is the most important award in the world and I’m so thrilled you are going to have it. I believe your motto is, ‘If you can believe you can…’” and Harmonie-Rose chipped in: “Achieve!”
After leaving the stage, she said she was going to put her Pride of Britain award in her bedroom next to her gym trophies, adding that she would like to add “an Oscar” to the shelf.
Alesha added: “Harmonie-Rose makes you realise that whatever challenges you have you can overcome them and do it with joy.”
Watch the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards on ITV at 8pm tonight.
