Amy overcomes barriers to win National Training Award

Amy Shemilt, of Holly Bank in Audlem, is featured in this week's Chronicle after winning a National Training Award for her role in helping dozens of others into education and work.

Amy was born with brittle bone disease and has spent all her life in a wheelchair. Despite being told that she would never be able to find a job, she has battled to obtain a string of qualifications, including a first class honours degree, a main-stream job and promotion.

Since 2004, her work has helped more than 130 people into learning opportunities and 60 into employment – and she also finds time to raise funds for the Brittle Bone Society. Amy told the Chronicle: "I'm very proud of the distance I've travelled. I have gained the skills to become more confident and the ability to over-come barriers. I believe the key to making disabled people accepted in society is learning."

Amy, who is pictured in the newspaper with Olympian Colin Jackson, has received a golden envelope containing an invitation to the UK Gala Ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in December where all the national winners will enjoy the glitzy 'get together' event.

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