Award for student who battled with brain tumour

A WARRINGTON student has been recognised for successfully completing his studies and contributing to college life despite battling with a brain tumour.
Duncan Cathie was highly commended in the Association of Colleges’ Student of the Year awards after his incredible achievements at Priestley College.
The 19-year-old underwent two operations including a craniotomy at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital during his years at Golborne High School and at the start of his time at Priestley.
He said: “The judges were impressed with how I approached my work inside and outside of college. I suppose I just coped and never saw myself as doing anything extraordinary.”
Duncan, from Lowton, was diagnosed with a Pituitary Adenoma in April 2012 after suffering severe headaches.
Over the next two years he had two intrusive operations – one lasting 13 hours – and was in hospital for his 17th birthday as he recovered from surgery.
Part of his brain tumour had to be removed through a craniotomy. Despite the difficulties he still managed to secure an A in Politics and Cs in both Geography and Law.
“I chose Priestley College because of the support that is available here and without it I couldn’t have achieved what I did,” said Duncan.
“All the extra things I did – such as serving on the College Council – was my way of paying back Priestley for the help that I received.”
After completing his exams Duncan successfully applied for Priestley’s first Student Ambassador Internship which is seeing him develop a college alumni programme and offer support to the current cohort.
Principal Matthew Grant said: “Duncan was the perfect person to take on our first student internship and is doing a fine job so far. We are very proud of him and all that he has achieved.”