Caring schoolgirl Jodie Mills will take her place on a national roll of honour in memory of Princess Diana for the devotion she showed to her auntie while she bravely battled terminal cancer.
Excelsior Academy pupil Jodie, 15, regularly travelled by coach from her Newcastle home to Edinburgh on a six-and-a-half hour round trip to spend time with her auntie Susan Brady.
The Newcastle schoolgirl collected her ‘Diana Champion Award’ at a ceremony at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park last November with a glowing citation of her care read out to the audience.
Now Jodie’s name will be inscribed alongside all Diana Award winners on a roll of honour for the academic year 2015-16.
The list will go live on the Diana Award website www.diana-award.org.uk next week as part of a campaign to celebrate #DianasLegacy during her birthday month of July.
Jodie helped with household chores and spent time with her auntie Susan, cheering her up with her positive, upbeat attitude to life.
Tragically, Susan died last July aged just 43. But such was Jodie’s touching devotion to her that she was nominated by her school Excelsior Academy in Newcastle for a prestigious Diana Award.
Tessy Ojo CEO of the Diana Award said: “The Diana Award is proud to recognise incredible young people, like Jodie, who have the confidence and courage to stand up for what they believe.
“The Diana Award is presented to inspirational young people who work to improve the lives of others in their schools and communities. With a growing network of over 47,000 award holders, we are building a force of young people who are committed to taking action and improving the lives of others.”
Jodie gained a valuable insight into the work of the MacMillan Cancer Support nurses during her time caring for her aunt – entering their ‘Brave the Shave’ campaign, having her long hair clipped close to her head to raise money for the charity.
“I did the ‘Brave the Shave’ for my auntie who I loved so much and who had cancer,” said Jodie at the time she received her award, more than doubling her original target of £100 by raising £205.
“I know I am only 14 but I wanted to show her how much she meant to me.
“She meant the world to me and I want to help as many people as I can so no other family has to go through this. With this donation I can get more nurses to help people suffering this illness.”
Excelsior Academy Executive Principal Craig Taylor said: “We are all extremely proud of Jodie and the care and support she showed to her auntie.
“It is fitting that she will take her place on the Diana Award Roll of Honour where people from across the world will see her name alongside those of many other outstanding young people.”