Brave Derbyshire student Declan is awarded for courage

Swanwick student Declan Batten has been honoured at an annual celebration of inspirational, brave young people.

Declan joined 13 other young people from schools, colleges and charities in being commended at the 25th Courage Awards, staged by the Rotary Club of Mansfield.

More than 180 guests packed-out Portland College this week to hear moving tributes and see the award-winners receive engraved trophies and certificates. Declan, of South Street, attends West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield, where he studies A-Level maths, accounting and psychology. He was nominated by achievement coach Gemma Lane for being an “exceptional student” who achieves “astonishing results” despite being severely sight-impaired.