INSPIRATIONAL young people have been honoured at the Rotary Club of Warwick Avon’s inaugural Children of Courage Awards.
Six young people were nominated by their schools. Each was presented with a glass trophy inscribed with their name, a certificate and a book token by Kenilworth Books.
Families, teachers and Warwick District Council chairman Stephen Cross were among the guests at the award ceremony held at
Kenilworth’s Holiday Inn.
Guest speaker was Coventry-born former Great Britain athlete David Moorcroft who told the nominees they were “a total inspiration to their generation” and should feel proud of their achievements.
Rotary president Norman Byrne said: “The club was very proud to be able to recognise these inspirational young people who at such an early age had faced so many challenges and had shown such Courage in overcoming them.”
Those honoured were:
* Natalya goes to Trinity School but spends a lot of her time supporting her father who has limited mobility due to multiple sclerosis. At the same time as helping with household chores she maintains 100 per cent attendance at school, completing all her homework on time and assisting her class mates and teachers at every opportunity.
* Lucy attends Trinity School and helps to look after her mother and two younger brothers while her father has to spend long periods of time undergoing dialysis in hospital. Despite facing more challenges than most of her classmates, Lucy is always first to offer help to others in need and has never failed to complete her homework on time.
* Thomas has cerebral palsy which affects his mobility, balance and strength. The Myton School pupil walks with the aid of a frame, but despite this, and major operations, nothing has dampened his drive to succeed. Thomas strives to be ever more independent and campaigns for more equal rights for the disabled.
* Samuel is Thomas’ identical twin and also has cerebral palsy. Like his brother it has not dampened his enthusiasm, drive and determination. An avid sports fan, Samuel plays tennis every week, and cheers on his beloved Aston Villa where he is a season ticket holder.
* Harrison attends Round Oak School. He has a lengthy list of medical ailments which he overcomes to attend school full-time. His epilepsy means he has to use a nebuliser in class every day while taking medicine through his gastrostomy. Despite all this he always has a smile on his face.
* Jessica – attends Round Oak School. She has been in foster care since she was a baby and also has a long term medical condition. Jessica has a daily physio routine which can take up to two hours. Over the past four years she has had a succession of foster placements and has been separated from her only family member, her sister Sadie. Throughout Jessica has always remained cheerful and has many friends.
Pictures by Gecko Photography.
