Busy Martine wins award
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 27th May 1999.
DETERMINED teenager Martine Latham from Haverhill missed a ceremony to receive an award - but only because the busy youngster was away at a majorette practice.
Martine, 16, of Queensway, was chosen to receive a Child of Resolution award from the West Suffolk Hospital Trust.
She was one of three girls honoured at a tea reception at the hospital to announce the awards.
They are made in recognition of pupils' achievements in the face of chronic or recurring illness or injury.
Castle Manor Upper School pupil Martine is a member of the sapphire Majorette troupe and did not want to miss out on practice for a display to be held at Witham.
She has missed weeks of school, including spending five-and-a-half months in hospital last summer, but is determined to take her GCSEs this year.
Martine was born with a bowel condition and spent the first two years of her life in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
She has been in and out for treatment ever since. She has to be tube fed at night and has another tube connected to her heart.
Her mother, Tracey Kicks, says she is very proud of her daughter and believes that she fully deserves the Resolution award.
"She does everything. She will not let it stop her doing anything."
"The day she got back from hospital last year after five-and-a-half months she went out trampolining. She only came out of hospital last week, so she has missed a lot of practice with the majorettes."
"She did not want to miss any more or she would not be able to go to the display. I think she has got to the stage now were she just wants her body back," said Mrs Kicks.
"I would not say that she loves school, but she wants to be there with all her friends."
Martine will receive an awards certificate from the hospital, as well as a Rainbow Appeal sweater and a T-shirt.
The other two girls who received awards are Michelle Dyson, from Bury St Edmunds, who has multiple sclerosis, and Adele Harris, from Stowmarket, who was hit by a car.
Both were also judged to have shown courage and resilience. The awards were sponsored by the company AOL, a subscriber based internet service.
Martine, 16, of Queensway, was chosen to receive a Child of Resolution award from the West Suffolk Hospital Trust.
She was one of three girls honoured at a tea reception at the hospital to announce the awards.
They are made in recognition of pupils' achievements in the face of chronic or recurring illness or injury.
Castle Manor Upper School pupil Martine is a member of the sapphire Majorette troupe and did not want to miss out on practice for a display to be held at Witham.
She has missed weeks of school, including spending five-and-a-half months in hospital last summer, but is determined to take her GCSEs this year.
Martine was born with a bowel condition and spent the first two years of her life in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
She has been in and out for treatment ever since. She has to be tube fed at night and has another tube connected to her heart.
Her mother, Tracey Kicks, says she is very proud of her daughter and believes that she fully deserves the Resolution award.
"She does everything. She will not let it stop her doing anything."
"The day she got back from hospital last year after five-and-a-half months she went out trampolining. She only came out of hospital last week, so she has missed a lot of practice with the majorettes."
"She did not want to miss any more or she would not be able to go to the display. I think she has got to the stage now were she just wants her body back," said Mrs Kicks.
"I would not say that she loves school, but she wants to be there with all her friends."
Martine will receive an awards certificate from the hospital, as well as a Rainbow Appeal sweater and a T-shirt.
The other two girls who received awards are Michelle Dyson, from Bury St Edmunds, who has multiple sclerosis, and Adele Harris, from Stowmarket, who was hit by a car.
Both were also judged to have shown courage and resilience. The awards were sponsored by the company AOL, a subscriber based internet service.
Comment on this story
[board listing] [login] [register]
You must be logged in to post messages. (login now)