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PDG recognised by two separate organisations for humanitarian work

Press release from Samworth Church Academy;

Samworth Church Academy Governor recognised by two separate organisations for humanitarian work

A Nottinghamshire woman has received awards from two different organisations in recognition of her tireless humanitarian work.

Val Leivers of Bestwood Country Park in Nottingham will receive the ‘Champions of Change’ award from Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland and has also been made an honorary member of The Townswomen’s Guilds, alongside two others this year,  Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL, and historian and writer Jane Robinson.

A retired Deputy Head Teacher, Val is currently an active Governor at Mansfield’s Samworth Church Academy which is a member of the Southwell & Nottinghamshire Multi Academy Trust. She has previously been a Trustee at Headway, the brain injury charity, and Chair of Governors at Roundwood Primary School. After teaching English as a volunteer for a few weeks at HMP Nottingham Val was asked to stay on a formal basis for six years with this income being used for the projects in India.

In 2010, Val changed the face of Rotary when she became the first female Rotary District Governor in the Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire district, ending a 65-year run of male only leaders. Val is the only female Rotarian in Great Britain & Ireland to receive both of Rotary International’s highest accolade, the “Service Above Self” award and the “Rotary Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award”

Now she dedicates herself to voluntary work in India, in orphanages and tribal villages with one of her main project being the transformation of a school in Secunderabad which has taken it from an under-resourced and ill-equipped school for 100 children, to a thriving and fit for purpose school for 1,390 children from some of the most disadvantaged families.

The ‘National Rotary Champions Awards for outstanding voluntary’ work was specifically awarded to Val for the £1.2 million pounds she has raised, and her unstinting work to improve conditions with many projects in India, mainly in the Hyderabad area of Telangana, and especially at the Sri Sai Vidyarthi School.

Val said that in the seven years she has been supporting the school, a difficult but ultimately successful transformation has taken place, not only to the school building, but to the life chances of its pupils. She said, “My involvement with the school began when my husband Terry and I were looking to sponsor some children throughout their education. We contacted our Indian friends in Rotary, and this eventually led to my husband and I sponsoring two boys after we had visited the school ourselves. When we arrived, it was one big room with an awful corrugated tin roof, in boiling heat and with a tree growing through the floor of the classroom where 100 children sat. The teachers were working extremely hard with little infrastructure or facilities and so we decided to see what more we could do to help.”

That is when Val’s life became a quest for funds and equipment to transform the school from an unsafe building with few resources, to a beacon of learning for its community. Now the school meets fire and safety regulations, has large, clean classrooms, a library, tables and seating, a science lab, computers, and ample learning resources for the 1,390 pupils. The school’s Principal, Dr Prasad has also been recognised as the “Best Principal of 2020” by the India Science Institute.

Val spends 5 weeks in Hyderabad each year, staying at friends’ homes, at an Ashram school in a tribal village and in the Secunderabad school with Dr Prasad’s family. On her return to the UK, Val fundraises by various means including gardening and decorating as well as speaking to many different organisations to seek their support. “I try to raise funds wherever I can, and I am always busy. The school can now operate at a high standard with committed and fully qualified teachers, with amazing children and in a community whose aspirations are rising. They understand that education offers their children better life chances than ever before. They inspire me to keep going. They never give up so why should I?”

It is this spirit and dedication to her charity work that led to Val’s invitation to speak to a large audience at The Townswomen’s Guilds’ International Women’s Day Conference in 2019 about her quest to improve education, particularly for underprivileged girls, in India.  Subsequently the membership voted to make Val an honorary member with the following citation. “At the Townswomen’s Guild we are immensely proud of the outstanding women who through their actions and principles have had a positive impact in the fight for equality.”

Val said, “I was in India when my husband Terry contacted me to say ‘Val, you are famous at last!’ To be in such company as Jane Robinson and Tanni Grey-Thompson is amazing and I honestly had no idea that I had been nominated. I will wear my Townswomen’s Guild badge with pride!”

Now Val says she has more work to do. After providing every child at the school in India with a pair of shoes last year, all 1,390 of them, she says her shopping list is still full.  “If I am hands on, I know precisely what is happening and exactly where every penny is spent. I do it for the children in India, not for me.

I taught those children, the song, ‘’You’ve got the power, I’ve got the power, nothing will silence my words, nothing will close my eyes. We are going to make it together.’

This has become the school song and I tell them every year that I’ll never give up on them.”

Val’s husband Terry said she is an unstoppable force, and until recently when ill health prevented it, he also worked with Val in India. He said, “Nothing daunts this unbelievable female dynamo and if only we could bottle her vitality, her drive and her enthusiasm to help others it would be a best seller. Val has endless energy and a profusion of qualities which enable her to achieve results in some of the most difficult circumstances. I am so proud of Val, not just for what she does, but who she is. If I could give her one thing in life it would be the ability to see herself through the eyes of others, then she would see what a special person she is to so many people. Life would be boring without her. I am content now being in Val’s shadow and I know how Denis Thatcher must have felt!  She is simply the best!”

The Principal of Samworth Church Academy in Mansfield where Val is a Governor, said it comes as no surprise that Val is being recognised. “Val has served on Samworth Church Academy’s Board of Governors with the same energy and commitment she shows to everything she does. It is no surprise to us that she has been recognised for such awards and she thoroughly deserves the recognition for her service.” Donna Wallbank, President of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland, commented, “The Champions Awards is about giving those who pioneer, lead and support some amazing volunteering projects the recognition they deserve. The selfless and truly life-changing impact of our champions really demonstrates how we can make a difference and touch people’s lives. Rotary is certainly a place where people can turn their passion and ideas into lasting change. There are so many heroes out there and to them I say, ‘thank you and keep doing what you’re doing’. Val’s work is invaluable in helping those who continue to be affected by lack of educational facilities and equipment and she is a very worthy recipient of one of this year’s awards.”

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Virtual Quiz raises funds for food bank

Epworth & Isle of Axholme Rotary held their annual quiz on Friday 24th April – via their Facebook page. This went really well – thanks to Rotarian Sally Hughes – 7.30pm – pictures were posted first – then a selection of questions at ½ hour intervals.

The answers were posted online at 9pm.

Lots of people took part and £516 was raised for Epworth Baptist Church Foodbank.

Great fun and FAB result.

STOP PRESS:

Realising that many of the VE Day celebrations will be curtailed or cancelled, we’re going to run another quiz on Friday 8th May. Exactly the same procedure – questions will be uploaded at 15 minute intervals from 7.30pm and answers posted at 9pm.

The theme of the quiz will be World War 2. Again, we’re asking for donations for the foobank, BUT realising that many of you contributed most generously last time, the emphasis is on having a bit of fun!! Please do join us again and do please share this post.

Many thanks and stay safe.

Carol Walsh reports.

Posted in: Epworth & Isle of Axholme

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3-D Printed Face Protection

118 facemask kits, printed at home by Seth

Rotherham Man Seth Lilleker has been busy printing parts for protective face masks. He writes;

A few weeks ago I started designing some face shields that were aimed at using any available clear material as a screen whether it be a freezer bag or plastic cut from a 2L pop bottle among other things – my train of thought was make something simple that can be used with  household items that anyone has access to. while I was designing this a couple of other designs were made available which had be accepted as suitable by medical boards in Czech and Sweden, these have become the standard for people to produce using 3D Printers as they are simple and fairly quick to print, So I set to work printing using a design based upon the Swedish design while still developing the one I had initially started. so knowing I wouldn’t really be able to spend my wages on much this month after our factory closed and we had to stay at home I spent them on getting materials to produce the face shields.

Then after speaking with very good friend of mine who is a paramedic, it was clear it we needed to produce as many as possible as quickly as possible, which meant I needed more printers and materials, knowing I could not fund it myself I decided to setup the Go Fund Me on the off chance a few people would help and raise a few hundred pounds to allow me to keep producing.

I never knew how generous and supportive people could be with all the donations that have been made. The donations made so far have allowed me to purchase 2 more printers and lots more materials allowing me to produce around 12 shields every 3 hours instead of 6 every 4.5 hours, this has made a massive difference to what I can produce and get delivered.

I am also looking into what other materials I can manufacture face shields and other PPE or useful items from, because as time goes on certain materials will be harder if not impossible to source for some time and we will still need to keep the NHS and front line emergency services protected the best we can.

I would be very grateful if you could share the Go Fund Me with any of your contacts, this is a link to it here.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/ywptu4-3d-printed-face-shields-for-the-nhs

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Member Laps It Up

Being confined to his house and garden wasn’t going to stop Ravenshead & Blidworth Rotarian Bob Jackson from doing his bit for charity.

Cheered on by his wife Sandra (adjudicator and drinks station monitor), Bob (82) completed 51 laps of his garden to ensure he completed the 4 mile target distance.

Monies raised through sponsorship will go to charities Aquabox and Bowel Cancer UK.

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Virtual Quiz Night in aid of Epworth Food Bank

Epworth and Isle of Axholme Rotary
Virtual Quiz Night in aid of Epworth Food Bank
Friday April 24th 7.30pm

Normally at this time of year Epworth and Isle of Axholme Rotary host a quiz night in aid of local charities. This year is no exception despite events driving us all indoors for the foreseeable future. Our aim is to bring a Virtual Quiz to the comfort of your own home via our Facebook page, Epworth and Isle of Axholme Rotary Club. This will take place on from 7.30pm on Friday April 24th and all funds raised will be donated to the Epworth Baptist Church Food Bank.

If the technology works – fingers crossed -there will be 4 rounds: round 1 will be posted at 7.30pm then subsequent rounds will be posted at 15-minute intervals. We will post the answers at 9pm.

You’ll need pen and paper to record your answers– PLEASE DON’T COMMENT ON THE POSTS.

There are 50 points up for grabs and feel free to post your scores on our page at the end.

The quiz is a bit of fun and open to all. We suggest a minimum donation of £2 for those able to contribute. Obviously if you are able to donate more please do, it will be gratefully received. Details of how to do this will be posted on the night.

Posted in: Epworth & Isle of Axholme

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Speakers for Virtual Talks

In these difficult times when clubs and districts are finding themselves looking at ways of holding their meetings and events in alternative formats, President Donna Wallbank has instigated the introduction of a new Rotary Speakers List to help clubs and districts enhance their online meetings.  All of the speakers are able to deliver their presentations online and there are a range of topics to suit all tastes and interests.  The Speakers List will be updated on a regular basis, however, during the introduction of the list, during April 2020, we will be updating the list at least weekly, so we recommend that Rotarians visit the webpage regularly for the most up to date list to see new, exciting speakers.

CLICK HERE to go to the Speakers List webpage (you will need to be signed into the members’ area)

Don’t forget that there is also Mark Snape’s website SPEAKERNET which has over 670 speakers willing to talk on 2100 topics. The site is being updated with a search facility to find speakers that are willing to provide remote, online talks.

Posted in: Events, Speakers

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Epworth & Belton Good Neighbours

A partnership has emerged between Rotary and other voluntary and trade organisations working in the area: specifically Belton Parish Council, Epworth Town Council, North Lincs County Council, the local Churches, the Isle of Axholme Local Produce Group and the Isle of Axholme Covid 19 Support Group.

We’ve partnered to form  ‘Epworth and Belton Good Neighbours’. Effectively, we’re a volunteer force that will  help out vulnerable people in this time of need.

Rotary was tasked with creating a leaflet which provided essential information to all the households in the area. Nick Mundy designed the leaflet and it will be posted out over the next couple of days.

Carol Walsh from Epworth & Isle of Axholme Rotary is now working on a list of protocols for local volunteers that they will need when carrying out work in the community.

When the Coronavirus crisis emerged we knew that the Rotary year wouldn’t progress as we had imagined, but by reacting with appropriate urgency to events  and working with others, our club is determined to uphold the Rotary motto of ‘service above self’.

Posted in: Epworth & Isle of Axholme

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Aquabox Reaches Yemen For The Third Time In Two Years.

The terrible situation in Yemen is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. People there are trapped in a dreadful cycle of conflict, starvation and sickness. Access to safe drinking water is extremely limited or non-existent.

It is estimated that 17 million are currently at risk (including 11 million children). There have been over 85 000 child deaths since the conflict began.

Water supplies and sanitation systems have been decimated – in some cases deliberately targeted.  Cholera is at epidemic levels as a result.

We have acted to support and empower the people in this dreadful environment.

Rotary District 1220’s own charity, Aquabox, and a partner charity, JOY (Jubilee Outreach Yorkshire) have delivered and successfully distributed three humanitarian aid packages to the country over the past two years. This has been accomplished despite the intrinsic danger to those acting on our behalf.

The joint consignments contain Aquabox’s family water filters and other items of humanitarian aid together with much needed dried food and medical supplies/equipment from JOY.  Over 5000 people have been supported by our aid, many in small family groups. More is needed.

The latest shipment has now been distributed to local groups and we were so pleased to received images of our aid reaching families.

Please help support us in this and other work we do to supply safe drinking water and aid to those in need in disaster areas across the world.

www.aquabox.org

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RYLA Castleton Feb 2020

RYLA at Castleton is for young people aged between 15 and 17 years old ( ie. not yet 18)  as a leadership training course, where they take part in challenges throughout the 4 days.

They are split into teams and pick a team leader , very much like the apprentice programme but no one gets fired !!. They then complete the task and afterwards there is a debrief about; how did the team leader do, would you have lead the team differently, etc.

In February 2020 we had 26 boys and girls booked onto the course but only 23 actually turned up on the day and then one went home on the Sunday so only 22 actually completed the course, but it was still a huge success and great value at £150.00 per person for 4 days.

We have received some great feedback from the young people and hopefully they will have now been to their ‘sponsoring’ clubs to give a talk and show some of the pictures taken during the tasks. Please have a look at the film below.

The course will be run again in 2021 from 13th to 16th February.

The Centre is owned and operated by The Sheffield Rotary Charity with the management team made up from members of the Rotary Club of Sheffield.

Jeremy Holmes
RYLA at Castleton organising team.

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Courage of young people celebrated

Inspirational children and young people who have overcome adversity were honoured at Mansfield Rotary Club’s annual Courage Awards.

Now in its 29th year, the event was hosted at Portland College, Mansfield, in front of the young people’s families and teachers.

Article courtesy of the News Journal – the original GOOD news local paper

Twelve young people — Paris Clarke-Hippsley, from The Samworth Academy, Mansfield; Ellie-Paige Willoughby, from Joseph Whitaker School, Rainworth; Charlette Smith, from Brunts Academy, Mansfield; Katie Bloomfield and Georgie Ancliffe, from West Nottinghamshire College; Thomas Glazebrook, from A Place To Call Our Own; Marwa Alshaieb, from Reach, Mansfield; Lois Harnett, from Portland College; Sophie Owen, from Meden School, Warsop; Abbie Steel, from Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, Mansfield; Kieran Vardy, from R.E.A.L. Education; together with a student from Fountaindale School, Mansfield, who was unable to attend — received a plaque from the Rotary club and a civic citation from the Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams.

The recipients of the awards had been nominated by their school or college for “exemplifying moral and spiritual courage in the face of personal adversity and difficulty.”

Presenting the awards, Mansfield Rotary Club president, John Bilzon, said: “Courage is often described as the ability to conquer fear or despair.

“But courage is not only showing bravery in the face of danger, more often courage is the day-to-day determination and hard work of dealing with, adjusting to, and, hopefully, overcoming the obstacles and harsh realities that life may present.

“It is a quality of mind enabling one to face that hardship with resolution.

“A resolution with power and spirit — the power to make choices and set goals and to act upon them firmly without renouncing those objectives; the spirit to let that courage succeed by the behaviour and attitude shown to the world about them.”

Education Mutual was the event’s main sponsor. Tables were sponsored by: Tyler Bros (Sutton-in-Ashfield) Ltd, HW Martin Waste Ltd, Atmospheric Interiors, Asmech Systems Ltd, Portland College, Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies, Mansfield Building Society, Fidler & Pepper, Overton Electrical, Hopkins Solicitors, Lighting Project Solutions and Mansfield Garage Doors.

The Rose Bower, Outram Street, Sutton, provided floral gifts to the parents and carers of each nominee.

Among the other guests were the governor of Rotary District 1220, Rotarian David Hood, the president of Mansfield Inner Wheel Club, Anne Lyons, and Julie Rathbone, who has represented All Saints’ Catholic Academy, Mansfield, at all but one of the Courage Awards events.

Paris Clarke-Hippsley
(The Samworth Academy, Mansfield)

Paris Clarke-Hippsley, aged 15, has been nominated by The Samworth Church Academy for showing immense bravery and enthusiasm, despite struggling with a condition affecting her spine.

In late 2017, Paris was diagnosed with scoliosis during one of her dance rehearsals after the teacher noticed a difference in the height of her shoulder blades. Paris visited the doctors and was informed that she did have a curvature of the spine and was referred for further tests. This came as a huge shock to Paris and her family as she had been a keen dancer since the age of 4. She competed both locally and nationally, and for her school, collecting many awards along the way.

As the condition deteriorated over time, she found it extremely difficult to cope with the pain and needed codeine and morphine daily to manage. In October 2019, Paris had seven-hour spinal surgery to correct her spine and this involved using titanium rods, 17 screws and a hook to keep her spine aligned and stop it from twisting/bending any further. Mr David Broomhead, deputy headteacher, said: “Throughout, Paris remained upbeat and positive.”

Ellie-Paige Willoughby
(Joseph Whitaker School, Rainworth)

Ellie-Paige Willoughby, aged 15, attends Joseph Whitaker School and has been nominated for the courage she has shown overcoming the difficulties of her health issues.

Mrs Dawn Mallon, SEN Manager and key worker, said: “Ellie had surgery for cochlear implants, fitted during the summer holidays, before she came to us (JWS), and in Year 7 she was unable to hear anything except clicks and whirs, was unable to understand sounds at all and was transitioning to a new, much bigger school with people she didn’t know.

“Since that time, when much of her learning took place in the Student Support Centre she has flown. “She had emergency funding for a year to allow us to support her learning through the difficult early months, but Ellie was soon out in all lessons and achieving highly in all subjects (not to mention one of them being Modern Foreign Languages – a lesson that in Year 7 terrified her).”

Dawn added: “She is now in Year 10 and has coped with many issues of her own, always dealing with them quietly and sensibly, and has proved to be very supportive of other students with a hearing impairment.”

At school, Ellie enjoys English because she likes to read other people’s work.

Charlette Smith
(Brunts Academy, Mansfield)

Charlette Smith, aged 13, has been nominated for her determination to overcome difficult circumstances after experiencing great trauma. The youngster, from Nottingham, attends Brunts Academy and has a passion for horse riding, swimming and biking.

“Despite being dysregulated and scared she always comes to school and tries her best,” according to her school.

In the future, she would like to work with animals.


Katie Bloomfield
(West Nottinghamshire College)

Katie Bloomfield has been nominated for hard work and commitment to learning, despite missing crucial school-time.

Katie was an extremely conscientious student last year, studying level 2 diploma in travel and tourism with 100 per cent attendance and being on track for a distinction grade, when she suddenly started to feel ill, with bad headaches.

She was admitted to hospital, where she was diagnosed with a blood clot on her brain, which left her poorly. It meant she missed three months of college at the crucial end-of-year point, from March to May. However, Katie was absolutely determined to finish the course and continuously asked for college work throughout her time in hospital and throughout her recovery.

With medical advice, teaching staff put together a return-to-college programme and asked the examining board to delay Katie’s end date so that she could complete her studies over the summer. Katie managed to complete the course by the end of June, at the same time as her classmates. Moreover, Katie gained an overall distinction average and a distinction in every unit except one, where she was awarded a merit.

Claire Craig, the programme area leader for travel and tourism, said: “Katie never complains about her illness and just gets on with it, even though it has meant completely re-thinking her career path in the industry as she can no longer fly or work as cabin crew while receiving treatment.

“Her hard work and dedication ensured she was selected from hundreds of candidates to undertake a work placement at East Midlands Airport to learn more about ground roles in aviation.”

Georgie Ancliffe
(West Nottinghamhire College)

Georgie Ancliffe, from Hucknall, has been nominated for demonstrating courage in the face of adversity and for persevering, despite fighting many internal battles.

Georgie was a young teenager when she lost her mum very suddenly and, “as you can imagine for any teenage girl, this was very difficult for her to comprehend and come to terms with,” said Vanora Heason, who nominated Georgie.

The 20-year-old, who attends West Nottinghamshire College, subsequently went to live with her grandma and grandad, but soon settled into a routine. Tragedy struck again when Georgie unexpectedly lost her grandfather and as her grandma’s health deteriorated, Georgie and her younger brother faced a period of great uncertainty regarding their future. During this time Georgie had to grow up quickly, looking after not only herself but her brother and grandma too.

Despite all these setbacks and new responsibilities, Georgie’s attendance at college remained excellent.

Vanora added: “There have been a lot of ups and downs and Georgie has faced and conquered some real-life battles that many of us will never have to contend with.”

However, she has exemplified compassion to others, demonstrated courage in the face of adversity and has persevered, despite fighting many internal battles.

“Georgie has never let her hearing loss get in the way of what she wants to do or the person she wants to be. “Her journey so far is a real testament to her resilience and strength of character and she is a shining example to other young people with a hearing loss or indeed any difficulty or disability. We couldn’t be more proud of the amazing young person she has become.”

In the future, Georgia would like to work in a role that involves looking after children.


Thomas Glazebrook
(A Place To Call Our Own)

Thomas Glazebrook, of Sutton, has been nominated for being an inspiration to other students at his school.

Last year the 14-year-old had to cope with stress, trauma and change resulting from changing school, family bereavement and the distress of helping out at home whilst his mum went through treatment for cancer. During this time Tom attended school.

When Tom was told that following treatment his mum could lose her ability to speak, he took it upon himself to learn British Sign Language and began to share and check understanding of the language with everyone he came in contact with.

Tom has developed skills that will be useful in his future life as a self-employed builder and roofing contractor. His skills are not restricted to practical activities, he has developed the skill of using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Martin Cope, headteacher of APTCOO Independent School, said: “Tom is an inspiration.”

Marwa Alshaieb
(Reach, Mansfield)

Marwa Alshaieb joined Reach Mansfield in May 2018 after coming from Syria in approximately 2016 with her mother, Hafsah, and her sister, leaving friends and family behind.

She has cerebral palsy and also finds it difficult to communicate using words. However, she has not let her disability hold her back and has also made lots of friends at Reach.

Staff at Reach say that they “hardly ever see Marwa without a smile.” The 28-year-old enjoys dancing in the performing arts session, cooking and making some terrific crafts.

In the future, she hopes that she will continue to attend Reach.

Lois Harnett
(Portland College)

Lois Harnett, 21, attends Portland College and has been nominated for the way that she has coped with illness.

Lois, of Nottingham, had a turbulent start to the academic year when she spent the whole of the summer holidays in hospital with an infection in a very deep open wound on her back – and she was quite ill.

Since her return in September she has made every effort to attend college and always takes part in in-session activities.

Lorraine Little, Lois’ progression tutor, said: “Lois never complains and at times it is very apparent she is in a lot of pain and discomfort, but she refuses to go home.

“She likes to be my Deputy TA, and will tell me to get on with things. She will also tell others to listen to her as she’s in charge!

“She loves to watch what is going on around her (she is definitely a people watcher) but talking is a big hobby of hers.”

In the future, Lois hopes to become as independent as possible.

Sophie Owen
(Meden School, Warsop)

Sophie Owen, 18, tragically lost her dad last year, very suddenly and unexpectedly, and since this trauma she has suffered from PTSD.

Despite facing ongoing challenges, the horse riding fan, from Church Warsop, has had a positive attitude toward learning and she remains focused on her studies.

Kate Kinney, a teacher at Meden School, said: “Sophie is the kindest student who we have ever had the pleasure of teaching at Meden School. She is very hard working and determined to succeed.

“She has been very resilient and still gives 100 per cent to her A-Level studies. We know that she will go on to do great things.”

Sophie’s long-term ambition involves becoming a business or HR manager after studying at university. She is hoping to go to Leicester or York University after completing her A-Levels.

Abbie Steel
(Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, Mansfield)

Abbie Steel, from Mansfield, attends Queen Elizabeth’s Academy and has received her nomination for taking on every aspect of school life with the utmost enthusiasm, despite having an illness that has impacted her both physically and mentally.

As a baby, Abbie was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy for three years and five months. She was left her with holes in her skull and her parents were told that she had a 20% chance of surviving.

She was left deaf in her left ear and wore a hearing aid until an operation repaired her hearing.

Abbie, 11, has gaps in her learning due to her illness and struggles with both long-term and short-term memory.

Ceri Graham, head of house at the academy, said: “Abbie is a shining example of someone who has not let illness stop her from getting the most out of life.”

Kieran Vardy
(R.E.A.L. Education)

Kieran, of Kirkby, has been nominated for overcoming every barrier that has been put in his way.

He was born with Cerebral Palsy, which affects his speech and mobility, but hasn’t let this define him.

Kieran joined R.E.A.L. Education as a learner in mechanics in 2016 and progressed through his L1 Diploma. Whilst on his mechanics course he impressed with his determination to succeed and how inspirational he was to other learners.

Once he had completed his qualification, Kieran secured a job in the mechanics department.

Antonia Germany, Kieran’s line manager and former tutor, said: “He had a tough year last year, losing his mum, but he hasn’t let this affect his performance at work.

“Even better he is a true encouragement to our learners, pushing them to believe that if you put your mind to it, anything is possible.”

Posted in: Mansfield

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