A PHYSIOTHERAPIST who gave a girl a second chance to live has been honoured for his selflessness and support of a charity.

Elliott Brock, 42, of Mersea Island, won the Shirley Nolan award for Special Recognition at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2021 after completing the London Marathon with the girl to whom he donated his stem cells.

In 1998, Elliott joined the Anthony Nolan stem cell register, and a decade later he was told he was a match for Vickey Lawrence, who was then an eight-year-old girl in desperate need of a stem cell transplant.

The invincible duo have raised more than £18,000 in aid of the blood cancer organisation.

Vickey said: “Without Elliott donating his stem cells to a stranger, I would not be here.

“I wouldn’t have made it to Christmas. I would never have had the opportunities I’ve had... to go to university, to study abroad, to play hockey.”

Elliot was recognised at a digital awards celebration, which also featured celebrity winners such as Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman, reality star Bobby Norris and Olympic medallist Chris Newton.

Elliott said: “What can I say, I am speechless that myself and Vickey have won this award - and for it to be presented by the amazing Olivia Coleman was just the icing on the cake.

“We have been so happy and privileged to have been able to help publicise the incredible work that Anthony Nolan does. To receive such a prestigious award was completely unexpected.”

The pair met for the first time in 2015 and have been friends ever since.

They have shared their story far and wide, travelling back and forth in the two weeks before the marathon to do media interviews and raise awareness of Anthony Nolan.

Henny Braund, chief executive of the charity, said: “Congratulations Elliott and Vickey for winning Shirley Nolan Special Recognition award. You and Vickey crossing the marathon finishing line together beautifully encapsulates what we do as a charity.”

The pair plan to run the 2022 Great North Run together and Elliott has volunteered his skills as a physiotherapist for TeamAN in this year’s London Marathon.