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Student recognised for dedication to learning
Gary presented with special award
Student and tutor Gary Hammill is celebrating after being recognised at a regional awards ceremony for his dedication to learning.
The 43-year-old, of Icknield Street, Dunstable, won the Judging Panel Special Award at the East of England Learndirect Achievement Awards. And he was thrilled to be chosen for the honour.
"I was elated," said Gary. "I was over the moon. It's something I can't describe because I wasn't expecting it. My name was called out and it took two or three seconds for me to realise they'd called my name.
"It was a massive sense of achievement having that certificate that said winner. It was overwhelming."
Gary struggles with his health and was recently diagnosed with clinical depression. He went to Learndirect in January last year to brush up his English skills.
"I struggle to get up and get motivated and it gave me something to aim for rather than sit at home and feel sorry for myself," he said.
Despite suffering from serious asthma attacks later that year, Gary returned to the centre three weeks later determined to succeed. He has since managed to gain a Level 2 qualification in Literacy and achieved a European Computer Driving Licence.
Gary said: "The staff that were there at the time, they were the ones that helped me through. They saw me down on a couple of occasions and they also picked me up and gave me encouragement to carry on."
Now in their fourth year, the learndirect Achievement Awards recognise the achievements of people learning with Learndirect, businesses training with Learndirect, and the people and centres supporting them.
Nominees include learners who have overcome personal difficulties and have gone on to find a job or move up in their career and businesses who have thrived as a result of improving the skills and motivation of their workforce.
Gary will now represent the East of England in the national judging stage of the awards.
For more information about Learndirect visit www.learndirect.co.uk or call 0800 101 901.
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Weather for Bedford
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
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