Three incredible Derby teenagers have been recognised for their resilience and bravery at a city awards ceremony.
Seventeen-year-old Tejal Paliya almost died after contracting a bacterial infection in March, which left her fighting for her life. Her family were warned that she may not survive but the gutsy Littleover Community School pupil – who has set her sights on going to Cambridge University to study Chemical Engineering – achieved four A*s after sitting the exams at the Royal Derby Hospital.
Matilda Hunt, a Year 8 pupil at Derby Cathedral School, has been called an “inspiration to everyone at school” after what dad Jason Hunt, has described as “the toughest year of our lives.”
Matilda, known as Tilly, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in February this year. The 13-year-old began complaining of headaches just before Christmas and these became more frequent when the UK went into a third national lockdown in the new year and Tilly resumed homeschooling.
The E4E Awards took place at University of Derby
She was taken to the opticians where an examination revealed that Tilly’s optic nerves were inflamed. A subsequent MRI scan revealed a mass on her brain, which was later diagnosed as a tumour which, given the proximity to her brain, doctors are reluctant to operate on.
Teacher Babs Woodward, who nominated Tilly for the Enterprise for Education (E4E) award said: “Tilly has undergone chemo and radiotherapy and has mostly remained positive throughout. She has also continued to complete schoolwork when she has been well enough to do so, being determined not to fall behind with school.
“She is an incredible young lady who is an inspiration to us all at Derby Cathedral School.”
Also receiving recognition at the E4E Awards, which took place recently at the University of Derby, is 16-year-old Jack Hart.
Jack has been nominated by teacher Matt Harris, who praised the teen for being a “remarkable young man” after he showed courage and resilience to continue with his studies at Da Vinci Academy during his GCSE year, despite the death of his mum to Covid.
Matt said: “Throughout the dreadful ordeal of having a mother in intensive care, moving in with grandma and then being isolated due to a national lockdown, Jack maintained focus on his academic studies in a way that was remarkable as it was impressive.
“In the days surrounding mum’s untimely death and her funeral, Jack barely missed a lesson; he was always one of the first to log-on online and actively participate in the online lessons using Microsoft Teams.
“When we returned to school, his classmates clearly shared a collective grief and sympathy with Jack. His awful experience helped to unite the group and promoted empathy and respect from some unlikely sources.
“Jack’s steadfast dedication to study at an undoubtedly challenging time of his life should be applauded. He is a remarkable young man and fully deserves recognition.”
Tejal (centre) was recognised for her resilience at the annual E4E Awards
For the first time since 2019, the E4E were held in person with schools, pupils and volunteers across the city celebrated by the public private sector organisation, which was set up in 2014 to link employers with schools and students.
E4E manager Arshad Iqbal said: “E4E has been helping to prepare the young people of Derby for the world of work since 2014 and, after missing last year’s award celebrations due to Covid – the awards, like many, took place online – we’re thrilled to be celebrating the hard-work, resilience and aspirations of the schools we work with, their pupils, our volunteers and supporters, in-person at the annual awards event.
“The incredible stories we have heard from schools such as Da Vinci Academy, Derby Cathedral School and Littleover Community School are just the tip of the iceberg; we would like to applaud Jack, Matilda and Tejal for showing such bravery and courage and being an inspiration to others at such a difficult time.”
Other award winners included The Bemrose School, who were named E4E School of the Year for their continued support of career-led learning and Da Vinci Academy pupil Jess Green, who was presented with the Young Achiever Award.
Claire Hollingshurst, Quality System Manager at Derbyshire-based Lubrizol, was one of three volunteers who were recognised on the night; John Augustin and Bronia Smith-Wilson – both from Derby City Council – were also praised for their efforts with E4E.
Each winner was presented with a silver plate and will have five silver birch trees planted in woodland in south Derbyshire by Co-Treetment, who specialise in planting trees to offset carbon emissions.
ENDS
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