Honour for Swinton student

His courage and determination in continuing his studies at Barnsley College while suffering from a brain tumour has won exceptional student Bradley Carr an award.
Bradley Carr of Swinton at Houses of ParliamentBradley Carr of Swinton at Houses of Parliament
Bradley Carr of Swinton at Houses of Parliament

Eighteen-year old Bradley, of Swinton, was welcomed to a special reception at the Houses of Parliament

after being highly commended in the 2015 Association of Colleges Student of the Year Award.

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Level three Interactive Media student Bradley was invited to Westminster along with students from other national colleges who were also recognised for specific achievements and successes, and for simply standing out from the crowd.

Waiting to join him at the Houses of Parliament were Barnsley College Chief Executive and Principal Christopher Webb and Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher.

The reception itself took place in the Strangers Dining Room in the House of Commons and was hosted by Peter Kyle MP, the Chair of the All Party Parliament Group for Further Education and Lifelong Learning.

Bradley was nominated for the AoC Student of the Year Award for his commitment to his studies while struggling with a brain tumour and for completing his studies while then undergoing difficult treatment for his condition.

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The brave teenager also continued to support his local community as a volunteer lifesaver at RLSS Dearne Valley Lifesaving Club whenever his health allowed him to do so.

Bradley said: “The experience was truly mind blowing. I was a little unsure how to act in such a prestigious place, However, I felt very welcome with people such as Michael Dugher MP and Peter Kyle MP there.”

The former Wath St Pius RC Comprehensive School pupil was diagnosed with the brain tumour in 2012, and underwent surgery before continuing with treatment including chemotherapy, that has continued until this week.

He said: “My original symptoms were a weakness in my right side, due to pressure from the tumour on my nerves. My dad took me to hospital and eventually an MRI scan revealed what was happening then treatment began quickly.”

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He continued: “It’s not been easy along the way but I have had a lot of support from college, with work supplied to me when I couldn’t get in.

“The tumour has made me slow in processing everything, so I sometimes needed to adapt work to a style I could dealwith, and getting around could be difficult at times, for example, walking up stairs and dealing with heart palpitations.”

The award commendation had been a great surprise, he said.