Former Norwich City College student gains recognition for his hard work

A former City College student has won an award recognising his hard work to gain an education in the face of financial adversity.

Henry Crone, 23, from Kenninghall, near Attleborough, was presented the Helena Kennedy Foundation Border Engineering Award by the peer and human rights lawyer in a ceremony at the House of Lords.

Henry recently started a BSc in renewable energy at the University of Exeter, and will receive a bursary of �1,500 from the Helena Kennedy Foundation, which will go towards his study costs. After the ceremony, Baroness Kennedy paid tribute to Henry's acheivement and said 'I am delighted to have presented Henry Crone with one of our awards in recognition of his huge achievement in reaching university against all the odds.'

Henry completed an access to science course at City College in Norwich last year and said: 'Because I was a mature student I was unable to receive any funding at all.' To help fund his way through the course Henry helped at his father's business, Crone's Organic Apple Juice and Cider.

He said: 'I may never get the opportunity again to attend such an event again, and althought I get a little nervous at the thought of standing up in front of people, I overcame any such misgivings on the day.'

The hard work of combining full-time study with working for his father helped him qualify for the award. Dick Palmer, principal at City College, said: 'I would like to congratulate Henry in receiving the Helena Kennedy Award and Henry fully deserves his award for the hard work and determination he showed throughout his access course.'

The Helena Kennedy Foundation was established in 1998 with the aim of helping disadvantaged students reach their full potential through bursaries, mentoring and work placements. The foundations chief executive, Wes Streeting, said: 'Making the step from college to university is a big step and we know there are many talented people out there who have the ability to succeed in higher education, but still miss out on the opportunity. Our foundation works with college across the UK to support students to overcome real disadvantage and ensure the doors are genuinly open to those with the right ability.

'City College should be justifiably proud of the talented student they have produced and we look forward to working with Henry Crone and ensuring he gets the most out of studying at university.'