SUFFOLK student Anthony Metcalfe has been awarded a special accolade, in honour of a brave teenager who died earlier this year.Anthony is the first winner of the Michael Woodhouse shield, which was set up in memory of the 15-year-old to recognise pupils who battle adversity.

SUFFOLK student Anthony Metcalfe has been awarded a special accolade, in honour of a brave teenager who died earlier this year.

Anthony is the first winner of the Michael Woodhouse shield, which was set up in memory of the 15-year-old to recognise pupils who battle adversity.

Michael, a muscular dystrophy suffer, died at Addenbrooke's Hospital in April this year after an accident at Papworth Hospital left him with two broken legs. He eventually died from bronchial pneumonia.

The Bury St Edmunds County Upper School pupil, from Barrow, proved an inspiration to staff and pupils for his ability to smile in the face of adversity.

Now a special award recognising pupils who battle adversity has been set up in Michael's honour. Anthony scooped A grades in his A level maths, physics and chemistry and a B in biology despite a difficult home life.

Speaking after getting his results - which secured him a place at the University of East Anglia in Norwich to study medicine - Anthony, 18, told how difficulties at home helped spur him on with his studies.

Five years ago his parents moved abroad but it was decided their ambitious son would stay in the UK to complete his education. He stayed with his grandparents until he was 15 and studied for his A-levels from a friend's house.

Anthony, who is now on a foundation course at the Norwich-based university, said. “It was tough at first when my parents left. I then stayed with my grandparents but they asked me to leave.

“I was upset but I hadn't really worked that hard while I was living there and when I left I just started studying non-stop.

“I have been staying with a friend's family and they have been fantastic. I think the upheaval pushed me to prove myself. I decided to be a doctor because I love helping people.”

Vicky Neale, headteacher, said: “Anthony, rather like Michael, did not have the best of starts. He worked so hard. We were going to award him the shield even before we knew his results. He was thrilled.”

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