Children of Courage awarded in Sleaford

Organised annually by the Rotary Club of Sleaford and the Rotary Club of Sleaford Kesteven, the event invites schools and youth groups from the area to nominate deserving under 18-year-olds that often exhibit day-to-day determination and hard work dealing with, adjusting to and hopefully overcoming the obstacles and harsh realities of life.

They may have risen above mental or physical impairments, suffered difficult family situations or other circumstances.

The event, hosted at William Alvey School in the town, was compered by Rotarian Norry Bell, one of the founders of the awards, with awards given out by club presidents Peter Cunningham and Keith Phillips.

Kesteven and Sleaford High School pupil Olivia Neasham was introduced by learning support assistant Emma Banks who explained Olivia had taken on a lot of caring duties for her sister with cerebral palsy while juggling personal illness, A-level exams, Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and preparing for university. She is part of the Lincolnshire young carers group and runs a carers club in school offering a pastoral chat for young carers.

Olivia, 17, said: “I feel like I don’t deserve it – it’s just my day to day life – nothing remarkable.”

Thomas Rhodes, aged nine, was presented by his Ruskington Winchelsea School headteacher Tracy Boulter, who explained he has shown exceptional courage and resilience while his mother underwent cancer treatment and faced a difficult diagnosis. He provided support at home while continuing at school and his strength and positivity were described as “inspiring”.

He had his own challenges too by fracturing his foot. Commenting on his award, he said he felt a little overwhelmed but aimed to take his trophy into school to show his friends before displaying it at home.

Carre’s Grammar School assistant headteacher Sally Wilson explained that 14-year-old pupil James Ball had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in December 2024, spending many weeks in hospital for intense chemotherapy treatment, leaving him exhausted and sick, away from friends and football.

She said he has battled on with a smile, despite missing the rest of the school year. he endeavoured to keep up with studies and gradually getting back to school. She said he had been determined and committed depsite the side effects of treatment.

James said he had been called out of a maths lesson to hear about his award: “I thought I was in trouble, but it is really nice to get it.”

It has inspired him to pursue a career in medicine.

Jack Hall, 11, was introduced by Shaun Farrington, headteacher of William Alvey School, who explained that Jack has often been daunted about going to school and struggled with being overwhelmed, but has worked to overcome his fears to the extent that he is a valued member of class with a sharp wit and dry sarcasm.

Jack had been initially afraid of dogs but chose to face his fear and built his confidence to regularly spend time with the school’s therapy dog, Chester.

He also had to face his fears on a school trip to the caves of Creswell Crags, initially planning to view them from afar, but gradually joining in with his classmates and even venturing to the deepest, darkest cave where they turned out the lights.

"That journey into the darkness became a powerful metaphor for how Jack approaches life,” said Mr Farrington. “He feels the fear, acknowledges it and then, in his own time, in his own way, he takes the leap.”

Jack said his award had been spurring him on to attend school: “It has given me more confidence to come to school.”

Erin Banks, 16, is a pupil at St George’s Academy in Sleaford who suffered a significant bereavement during her GCSE exams, explained an emotional vice-principal Erin Banks. She had also been juggling school, her gymnastics training and supporting family life.

Her hard work paid off with some great exam results and Erin said she felt proud of her award, adding that she wanted to continue with her gymnastics at Loughborough University.

Skye-Leigh Dalton, 17, is a student at St George’s Academy’s Ruskington campus who had experienced a “turbulent” time, having begun with a great deal of academic promise before becoming heavily influenced by peers outside school in Year 9. Vice-principal Samantha Jermyn explained it was affecting her attendance and anti-social behaviour leading to suspensions and being absent for much of Year 10 to the extent that staff were considering offering alternative educational institutions.

But at a meeting to discuss the move, Skye-Leigh asked to give it another try, ditching her old peer group and turning up for every lesson, plus spending time catching up on her carefully reduced curriculum. Her resilience and determination resulted in good grades and a place in sixth form.

Skye-Leigh admitted that due to her rocky relationship with school, she was “shocked” to hear she had been put forward for the award. She said: “I realised I had the behaviour issues and we patched things up – I appreciate that.

"I do regret doing so many things but I’m still glad I went through such a dark time as it made me who I am and everyone has been so amazing.”

Planning to take a gap year after her exams, she may go into a career in policing and law.