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15 Apr 2011 12:11:51
A sporty fundraising student PE teacher was the winner of an inaugural award in memory of a former student at the University of Bedfordshire.
Joe O’Connor has become the first winner of the Steven Henly Award for Outstanding Commitment (to sport) at the Bedford campus.
The third year BA Physical Education (QTS) student won £500 and a trophy in memory of Steven Henly, a former student at Bedford who died of a rare form of cancer just a few weeks after his 21st birthday in July 2008.
Steven’s parents, Bob and Zahra, were on hand to present the award at a special ceremony attended by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon CBE.
The purpose of the award is to recognise and encourage the level of dedication to sport that Steven himself showed throughout his life.
Joe, a 20 year old from Bunwell in Norfolk, has cycled from London to Paris to raise funds for Help for Heroes and also taken part in the Engadin Ski Marathon in Switzerland for the charity Equal Adventure in the last year.
He said: “It’s awesome and I’m really honoured to be the first winner of this award. It was great to meet Steven’s parents and they’re such a lovely family. I’ll use the money to put towards the cost of my next fundraising event – possibly an expedition to the North or South Pole in the next couple of years!”
Steven, from Hadleigh in Suffolk, became ill during the second year of his BA Physical Education (QTS) course and died before completing it. In recognition of his outstanding ability and promise, he was awarded a posthumous Diploma of Higher Education at the 2008 graduation ceremony.
Mum Zahra carried out a sponsored ‘Jog and bike ride challenge’ last year at the Hadleigh High Leisure Centre which raised £1,800 for the award.
She is set to take part in the Richmond Half-Marathon on what would have been Steven’s 24th birthday on Sunday, 8 May. If you would like to offer sponsorship, call 01473 827960.
The photos show award winner Joe O’Connor with Steven’s parents, Zahra and Bob Henly, and all those who attended the recent presentation
Latest news» 2011» April» Joe's honoured to receive inaugural award
