AN inspirational 11-year-old from Harefield has been honoured for his achievements in the Panathlon Challenge, a ‘mini Paralympics’ for children.

Double-amputee Malik Berbiche was highly commended in the 2014 Jack Petchey Outstanding Achievement Awards, held in the Olympic Gallery at John Lewis Stratford City.

The Harefield Academy student, who lost part of his left leg and left arm in a coach accident in 2007, was selected from more than 4,000 disabled young people who took part in the Panathlon Challenge this year.

“This is amazing for Malik. He is an amazing boy. We’re very proud of him,” said Kate Pendred, teacher at Coteford Junior School in Pinner, where Malik spent the last four years.

“When he first came to us in Year Three, he wasn’t interested in doing any sport at all. He had to be persuaded to get involved, but, when he did, he was brilliant at it.”

More than 400 schools took part in Panathlon’s 84 ‘mini Paralympic’ competitions in 2013/14.

Being involved in sport has helped transform Malik’s life.

In 2013, he was fitted with a prosthetic blade he now wears for any sport that involves running.

“He just loves sport,” said Kate Pendred. “Every year he has an operation on his leg as it grows and he just gets fed up being in his wheelchair for a few weeks as he recovers.

“It’s not unusual to see him just hopping round the field playing football with the other boys and throwing himself around in goal.

“His ambition is to become a Paralympian and we’d be so proud of him if that’s what happens.”

Panathlon ambassador Liz Johnson said: "Malik is fast becoming a regular at Panathlon.

“He is a good example of someone who could potentially be a Paralympian."

Larayne Harris, assistant head at Coteford Junior School, said: “His attitude to school life is as close to perfect as you could wish for. He’s a very popular boy and an inspiration to everyone he meets.”

Malik’s mother and younger sister also lost limbs in the same coach accident as Malik.

The crash took place on a slip road off the M4 near Heathrow in January 2007, claiming the lives of three people and injuring 65 others.