City council honours outstanding achievements of visually and hearing-impaired students
LIVERPOOL’S student stars are set to shine at St George’s Hall as the city council recognises the hard work and dedication of children with visual and hearing impairments.
The annual Sensory Support Service Awards ceremony takes place at St George’s Hall on Thursday 17 October.
The awards are presented to young people who have overcome barriers to make great progress in mainstream schools.
Some of the students will be recognised for their academic achievement, others for their personal development and growing confidence – all the award winners will be acknowledged for their determination to succeed.
A total of eight young people will receive awards on the night for a range of achievements.
Guests of honour at this year’s event will include Liverpool Paralympic cycling champion Lora Fachie, MBE and the city council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills Cllr Barbara Murray.
Lora, 31, who lost her sight at the age of five, took the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games by storm, winning gold in individual pursuit and bronze in the time trial. There are currently 112 visually impaired and 275 hearing-impaired children being supported by the city council’s Sensory Support Service in mainstream schools in Liverpool.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills Cllr Barbara Murray, said: “The Sensory Support Service Awardsare a real highlight of the city’s academic year. The children who will receive awards are exceptional young people who have refused to let their impairments hold them back. They have done themselves and their families proud and are fantastic role models for other young people.
“The event is also an opportunity for us to celebrate the amazing work of our Sensory Support Service team who work with these young people to make sure that they can reach their full potential.”
Liverpool Paralympic Gold medallist, Lora Fachie, MBE said: “It’s a real honour to be presenting the children and young people of Liverpool with their awards. Inside each of these young people has the spirit and determination to achieve that this city is famous for. As someone who rides in tandem, I know all about the power of teamwork and how every champion needs support to get them to the top. It’s clear that the council’s sensory team are doing a magnificent job in encouraging the children to do their best and I look forward to meeting them on the night.”
PHOTO: Liverpool’s Golden Girl Paralympic cycling champion Lora Fachie, MBE.
