battles with dyslexia

EMMA Kirk, who is coping with dyslexia to study for an NVQ qualification, was the youth training winner at the annual trainee of the year awards run by North and Mid Cheshire TEC.

She was among recipients from Warrington, Halton and Vale Royal who were presented with awards by Olympic medallist Roger Black and TEC chief executive Steve Boyfield.

Emma, who struggled with academic studies at school because of her dyslexia, is doing her course in early years and education with YMCA Training, Warrington. She plans to complete NVQ level two and go on to level three which will give her a qualification equivalent to an NNEB.

Sue Jones, who gave up her job as a tennis coach to take care of her two children, was runner up in the work-based learning for adults category.

Sue, who did an NVQ level three course in early years education, decided to work with children after her husband, Rob, learned that his fourth knee operation would put an end to his career as a professional footballer. Now, Sue has set up her own nursery in south Warrington.

Roger Black, European, commonwealth and world championship gold medalistic and Olympic silver medalist, is now a TV sport presenter.

He told a packed audience at the Park Royal International Hotel, Warrington, of the difficulties he overcame in a sporting career spanning 14 years and yielding 15 medals.

Steve Boyfield told the audience : "We have seen what can be achieved through determination and effort, no matter what your age or circumstances. It is our hope and belief that many more young people and adults will benefit from work-based learning in the years to come, and that their triumph will help to build a better future for us all."