Some of the borough’s bravest and most inspiring children were recognised at an awards ceremony organised by Surrey Police.
The Elmbridge Young Persons of Honour Awards 2012, held on Friday, April 27, was a humbling event for all who attended.
Stories of children caring for parents, children who have lost siblings or young people courageously battling illness, all highlighted the adversity fought by a bunch of very special children in Elmbridge.
The mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor John Sheldon and Dominic Raab, MP for Walton and Esher, were both in attendance.
Charlie Brooks, who plays Janine Butcher in EastEnders, also made a surprise appearance and presented some of the awards at Imber Court sports club.
Mr Raab said: “It’s great that we’ve got a good news story about bravery and the positive achievements of youngsters and it’s great that the police are so involved in this – both officers and volunteers.
“You really get a sense of community and it makes you proud of the borough’s civic spirit, which Elmbridge has in bounds.”
If your business can help sponsor next year’s awards or donate prizes to the youngsters, please call Philip Jebb on 101.
The winners
The Hinchley Wood Primary School student stole the show with her patriotic outfit, which took weeks of planning.
The eight-year-old was due in hospital for a biopsy on Monday, April 30, but was full of smiles as she collected her award on the Friday before.
The little girl has liver disease and had not responded to her most recent treatment.
Her mother said they were probably looking at a transplant, but Daisy, unfazed, wanted it known how good the food was in hospital.
Her teacher handed over her award and said: “I know her as a happy, smiling and uncomplaining girl. It’s a real pleasure to have her in my class. She’s popular and kind and so, so brave.”
Angela Evans
Angela was delivered a devastating blow when doctors diagnosed multiple sclerosis two years ago.
But the beautiful teenager has not let that stop her enjoying her great love of singing, and she treated the audience to a rendition of Adele’s Someone Like You.
Michelle MacKrell, principal at Chadsworth Stage School in Esher, said she was in shock when she heard about the diagnosis.
She said: “Nobody at that age gets MS, it’s so unusual.
“I’m so proud of Angela because she comes to all her classes, she sings, and very rarely does she complain.
“We can be feeling really down and then along comes this young lady, tall and beautiful, and she says ‘Are you all right love?’ and you snap out of it.
“Then you ask her how she’s doing and she’ll smile and say ‘it’s a good day’.”
Aston’s sister Georgia picked up his award on his behalf.
Her brother, a student at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School in East Molesey, has lymphatic leukaemia and could not make it out of hospital to collect the award.
His teacher told the room that he had shown great strength and was often seen trying to cheer up his family.
She said: "He has a great sense of humour and a lovely laugh and tears roll down his face he laughs so much sometimes.
"We were very sad to hear in September 2011 that Aston had relapsed and would need a bone marrow transplant."
His sister is helping with the transplant.
The two brothers lost their father a few months ago, but have both remained hard-working and dedicated students.
They also had to deal with more sad news when they learned their older brother’s leukaemia had recurred.
Rachel George, deputy head teacher at Rydens Enterprise School, described Toby as exemplary students who recently completed a sponsored walk for Royal Marsden Hospital, raising more that £100.
She said: “Jason is also a hard-working and quiet student with a naughty twinkle in his eye.
“These quiet, understated brothers who just get on with it are what these awards are all about.”
As a young carer, Rachel looks after her mother as well as her two younger siblings, aged seven and two.
Caring for her brother and sister has inspired the Rydens Enterprise School student to pursue a career in childcare.
Deputy head teacher Rachel George said: “Clearly Rachel has more responsibilities at home that many young people and she balances these and her school work very effectively.
“She is a very good student indeed.”
Rachel’s mother said: “I was very emotional watching her get her award. She’s tremendous.”
Joe Goodchild
The Rydens Enterprise School student has a serious road accident last summer and was in a critical condition for some days.
He himself described his accident as the day he died.
The room heard it was a miracle he was with them at all and he should be rewarded simply for standing on the stage after his incredible recovery.
Deputy headteacher Rachel George said: “When he came back he was very withdrawn and quiet, quite understandably, and it was a learning curve for staff who didn’t know what the long-term consequences of the accident would be.
“Over the past few months, Joe has amazed us all with his determination to be normal.
“The relationships that have developed between Joe and the other students have changed all of them, and us.
“It has been a pleasure to be part of Joe’s recovery and he should be very proud of himself.”
Josh Maskew, Ellie Maskew, Daniel Broadbent, Peter Lloyd, Jack Attard, Joe Picknell
Esher High School pupil Ellie lost her 16-year-old brother Josh to a rare form of bone cancer on January 4.
The disease was diagnosed in November, after he went to the doctors with a pain in his ankle, and the aggressive cancer took him in a very short space of time.
Tracey Spreadborough, whose son was a friend of Josh’s, said: “Ellie gave him great support and all of his friends did too.
“The church had 300 people in and these brave boys walked in with Josh on their shoulders.
“They were nominated for being a great support to the family, and Ellie, and to everybody that wanted to pay their respects to Josh.
“I’ve seen them grow up from the age of four and I’m so proud of all of them. They are so deserving of this award.”
In February, Ellie and her girlfriends arranged a charity space hop to raise funds for Shooting Star Hospice, which cared for Josh.
They managed to raise more than £1,400 and his charity page justgiving.com/joshmaskew continues to raise funds, which now stand at more than £13,000.
Complete list of winners
Tamjeet Arora
Jack Attard
Rachel Brabrook
Daniel Broadbent
Daisy Cornish
Thomas Cridland
Angela Evans
Jason and Toby Farahmand
Joe Goodchild
Sam Heatley
Aston Hossen
Luke Huff
Peter Lloyd
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