Young heroes!
Published: February 22, 2007
Move over Catwoman, Spiderman and Robin Hood…. these schoolchildren have proved they are real-life superheroes.
Children from Toftwood Infants School, Dereham, were given Pride of Toftwood Awards for their brave and selfless acts to mark the end of the school’s special week devoted to learning about heroes.
Headteacher Joanna Pedlow said: “These children show everybody you do not have to wear a cape and mask to be a hero. We are really proud of them. When you hear what some of the children have been though in their lives and yet they still come to school smiling, it is amazing.”
Six-year-old Bogdan Nedkov, from Bulgaria, coped without his parents, Krasimira Nedkova and Daniel Nedkov, 31 and 33, for two years when they moved to England for work and he stayed in his native country with his grandmother. Then, aged four he came to England and started at Toftwood Infants without being able to speak English.
Mrs Nedkova said: “The first year in England was especially hard for Bogdan but he quickly picked up English and now he is very happy here and had lots of friends.”
Mollie O’Callaghan, five, was an “absolute star” while her mum Vanessa O’Callaghan battled with the inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis last year and had to have her colon removed.
Ms O’Callaghan, 32, spent more than seven months in hospital and had three operations. During that time Molly lived with her grandmother Susan Barrett, 55.
“We had some very hard times and Mollie has been an absolute star,” Mrs O’Callaghan said.
Bethany Windle, five, rescued her 22-month-old brother Ethan a few weeks ago when the trolley he was sitting in rolled across the car park at the Dereham Morrison’s.
Her mum Tira Thomas, 30, said: “The trolley rolled about four or five cars away. Bethany was a real hero because she ran straight after him. I dread to think what might have happened if she hadn’t.”
Ellie Poole, six, went after her friend Jack, four, to stop him running out onto the busy Commercial Road, in Dereham, in May last year. Jack escaped unhurt but Ellie split the inside of her right thigh open on a wall and had to have stitches at hospital.
Her mum Tracy Poole, 33, said: “Even when Ellie had hurt herself she was still more concerned that Jack was safe. She was really brave.”
Kieran Bradley, seven, has had epilepsy since birth and never lets his condition get him down or stop him doing his school work. His mum Sue Bradley, 43, said she was extremely proud of how her son always coped so well.
All five youngsters received special trophies, and other pupils were given medals and certificates for bravery.
The week of events based around the heroes theme was organised by teacher Chrystal Widdeson.
Among the week’s many activities the 260 youngsters met fireman and had a look at a fire engine, dressed up as their heroes, and shared stories about bravery. Their book fair also raised nearly £600 to spend on books for the school.
If you enjoyed this good news Subscribe to Good News Blog
Share this
To share this simply copy and paste one of the below URL's: