Champ Keely returns to honour prize pupils
JON MACPHERSON
TALENTED pupils have been honoured at an annual school awards evening.
Top achievers in Years 7 to 9 at Mount Carmel High School in Accrington were presented with subject trophies and ‘role model’ students were also celebrated from each form group.
Former deputy head girl Keely Battrick, who is the current World Kickboxing Champion in her class, was the special guest speaker and proudly showed off her belts to the delighted audience before presenting the awards.
The evening began with a solo performance of ‘Where is Love’ from the recent school production of Oliver! performed by Year 8 pupil Lewis Wilkinson.
The Duke of Edinburgh Trophy was presented to Denley McKelvey while
Year 9 pupil Maddie Boros-Kemp was honoured with the ‘ Logan Wood Trophy’ created in memory of the much loved and sadly missed pupil.
Her form tutor Mrs Javaid said: “Maddie is an outstanding role model who leads by example in everything she does.
“Her attitude to learning is exceptional and she truly embraces all aspects of school life.
“She is immensely popular with both staff and students alike, due to her kind-hearted and hardworking nature. She is a credit to Mount Carmel.”
Keely, who coaches with her parents at Fit to Fight in Accrington, is currently completing a sport apprenticeship at Burnley Leisure Centre and also works with local police teaching selfdefence classes to disadvantaged young people.
Sue Fielding, school partnership manager, said: “Keely explained how she always works hard to achieve her dreams, she never quits and always believes in herself.
“Despite her astounding kickboxing success Keely admitted her toughest ever challenge was her Maths exam!
“She told the pupils present at the awards evening that if they have a passion for anything then they should work hard, overcome any obstacles and keep focused as winners never quit.
“Chair of Governors David Rushton gave the final address of the evening to the audience and described how he felt Mount Carmel had created a wonderful school community which was achieving academically and always had pupils’ best interest at the centre of all that it does.” CUSTOMERS have helped raise hundreds of pounds for a cancer charity through donations of unwanted clothes and accessories.
Cash 4 Clothing in Clayton-le-Moors offers visitors the option of taking a cash sum to the value of their unwanted items or donating the money to Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
The scheme was devised by residents Bob and Trudy Tuffnell who then approached the Whalley Road store manager Vanessa Ratcliffe for support.
Over the last 18 months £416.68 has been raised by customers bringing in pre-loved clothes, shoes, bags, belts and accessories.
Vanessa said: “A 10kg bag of unwanted items is worth £4. It’s been touching to see so many customers decide to support Rosemere Cancer Foundation. Together, their generous donations have mounted up to a significant sum.
“There’s been a lot in the news recently about the negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment.
“In this country, we throw away 1.2 million tonnes of clothing annually so recycling is a way of helping counteract this and by supporting a local charity at the same time, it’s a double win situation.”
Bob and Trudy are committed Rosemere Cancer Foundation volunteers and have been ever since Trudy was treated for breast cancer nine years ago.
Since then, they have organised their own fundraising events and volunteered for supermarket collections and other activities.
Bob said: “It was an idea that came to us after we had a clear out and we’re delighted that so many people have supported it.”
Cash 4 Clothing is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.