Queen Elizabeth’s Academy student Cody has been recognised as a ‘Child of Courage’ at the prestigious 34th Mansfield Rotary Courage Awards.
Held at Portland College, Mansfield, the annual event honours young people who exemplify moral and spiritual courage in the face of adversity. Eleven students from local schools and colleges were nominated for their resilience and determination in overcoming personal challenges.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams; the President of Mansfield Rotary, Rotn Phil Lyons; and special guest, Paralympic champion Charlotte Henshaw. Charlotte, a world-class paracanoeist and double gold medallist at the 2024 Paralympics, delivered an inspiring talk, praising the young award recipients for their extraordinary perseverance.
Each of the 11 honourees, including Cody, was presented with an engraved plaque from the Rotary president and a civic citation from the mayor in recognition of their courage and achievements.
Rotary President Phil Lyons reflected on the significance of the awards, quoting former president Mike Neville’s original definition of courage:
“Courage is often described as the ability to conquer fear or despair. But courage is not only showing bravery in the face of danger; more often, courage is the day-to-day determination and hard work of dealing with, adjusting to, and hopefully overcoming, the obstacles and harsh realities that life may present.”
He went on to commend not only the students but also their families, carers, and school staff who support them through their challenges.
Cody’s Inspiring Journey
Cody’s nomination stemmed from his remarkable resilience following a brain tumour diagnosis in the summer of 2023. Undergoing major surgery in September 2023 to remove the tumour, Cody has faced significant challenges, including extreme fatigue and extended absences from school. Despite these obstacles, he has worked tirelessly to return to full-time education and continues to make outstanding progress in his studies.
Ceri Graham, who oversees Cody’s day-to-day care at Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, praised his determination: “Even though he struggles with extreme tiredness daily and has missed a huge amount of school, Cody is now nearly back at school full-time and is achieving great things in his lessons.”
At Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, Cody has a passion for design technology and is fascinated by creating and constructing. He also enjoys baking and hopes to pursue a future career as a professional chef or baker. Other interests include music and design, and he is considering further education at college and university to explore these fields. In his free time, Cody enjoys board games, drawing, and reading. His favourite song is ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson.
Cody’s courage, perseverance, and ambition truly embody the spirit of the Mansfield Rotary Courage Awards, and Queen Elizabeth’s Academy is incredibly proud of his achievements.
Congratulations, Cody!
