Jennifer Lawrence to receive friendship award

Jennifer Lawrence will receive the Down Syndrome of Louisville's Friendship Award next week.

The 'Silver Linings Playbook' actress will be lauded for her friendship with Louisville local Andy Strunk, who has Down Syndrome - a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21 - who she has known since middle school.

A spokesperson told E! News: 'Jennifer and Andy Strunk have been friends since their middle school days. Jennifer and Andy enjoy a loyal friendship of mutual encouragement and enjoy each other's company. They text and speak on the phone quite frequently. Their families stay in close contact and continue a friendship too.

'Our members and staff of Down Syndrome of Louisville are so very proud of Jennifer for staying true to her Louisville hometown roots while she achieves global recognition for her craft as an artist. We are thrilled that Andy will present the Friendship Award to her family.'

Jennifer will be unable to attend the ceremony on April 26 at the Mint Jubilee Gala as she is currently filming in Hawaii but her brother Blaine and his fiancee will accept the award on her behalf.