TRAGIC teenager Joe Wilson, who died of a rare heart condition, is to be awarded a posthumous medal by the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien will present the Pope Benedict XVI Caritas Award to his parents Alan, 51, and Veronica, 49, at a ceremony tomorrow.

The award – which commemorates the visit to Scotland by Pope Benedict XVI in September 2010 – honours the efforts of young people.

Joe is among 450 youngsters to be honoured for volunteering to help at a ceremony in Glasgow's Clyde Auditorium.

The 17-year-old, from Carfin, near Motherwell, collapsed on December 15 and was rushed to Wishaw General. He died six days later.

After his death, doctors discovered Joe had been born with a rare, undiagnosed heart condition.

Many of those honoured by the award have volunteered time in their schools and faith communities, as well as offering practical support to others.

Paying tribute to his son, Alan said: "Joe did so much in his life and we are just so proud of him,"

Last week, the Evening Times told how Joe's family and friends raised £20,000 in his memory by climbing Britain's highest mountain.

Around 170 of Joe's relatives and classmates scaled Ben Nevis to raise the cash for a host of charities, including the British Heart Foundation, St Andrew's Hospice in Airdrie, and the Carfin Grotto.

The group were led up Nevis by the Joe's dad, Alan, and his best friend, Chris Lawlor.

A sixth-year pupil at Taylor High, in New Stevenston, Joe had gained five A-grades in his Higher exams, winning the school prize for outstanding academic achievement.

He had dreamed of working in medicine and had volunteered his services at Wishaw General and St Andrew's Hospice.

His school has re-named the library after him and it will now be known as the Joseph Wilson Library Resource Centre.

Headteacher Gerry McCormick, said: "Joe was an excellent student who had a rare combination of very high academic ability and outstanding personal qualities.

"He was an inspirational young man who touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with."

As reported earlier this week, murdered teenager Reamonn Gormley is also to be awarded the medal posthumously.

The award will be made to his parents, Ann and Jim during the same ceremony.

rebecca.gray @heraldandtimes.co.uk

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