2nd September 2010WEYMOUTH: Courageous Michele needs readers' votes to win national award
A WEYMOUTH woman who missed just one class during a three-year course despite suffering from the disease Lupus and undergoing chemotherapy is up for a national award.
Michele Marlow is counting on View readers to help her secure the Learn Direct People’s Choice Award after battling with the disease during her Weymouth College course.
Having completed her computer and numeracy course at the Learn Direct Centre, Michele is also up for the national “outstanding learning award” after winning the southwest title earlier this year.
However, Michele is hoping readers can help her scoop a second award by voting for her online.
Each year a Learn Direct student who has overcome difficulty or achieved something beyond that which is expected of them is nominated for the award.
Michele said she used the course to help her forget the stresses of her illness.
“IT gave me something different to focus on, rather than myself and I think it was important for me to continue coming in and doing something useful,” she said.
“I think if you know there’s friendly people and smiley faces waiting for you when you come through the door it helps you get up in the mornings because you have something to look forward to.
“It was a lovely thing winning the award, I couldn’t believe it, things like that just don’t happen to me.
“I haven’t thought about winning the national yet, I’m trying not to think about it but it would be a great honour for me if I won.”
Learn Direct teacher Laura Williams described Michele as an inspiration to other students when she nominated her for the award.
“Obviously the qualifications she achieved are excellent in themselves but to carry on and study through the problems of her illness showed total commitment and inspiration to students,” Mrs Williams said.
“We have all kind of excuses why people cannot come in and what Michele has achieved puts all that into perspective. All the time she came in she didn’t moan or groan once, she was just a totally committed student.”
To vote for Michele go to www.learndirect.co.uk/awards and click on “cast your vote”.
The last date for voting is October 18th, two days before the national award ceremony in London.
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