A LEARNING mentor from Widnes has been praised in a national campaign which recognises teaching staff.

Mrs Ball, from Widnes Academy, has been nominated for the School Superheroes campaign which allows any staff member working in a school to be nominated for an award.

One ‘school superhero’ will receive a £50 Town and City Gift Card of their choice for over 60 schemes around the UK and Ireland and the school will also receive a £250 prize.

Mrs Ball was nominated for the award, which is by fintech Miconex, by a parent, Rachel Newsum, whose two daughters attend the school.

Rachel said: “We moved to the North West around four years ago, and didn’t know a soul.

‘‘We hit hard times as a family, but Mrs Ball was always there for us.

‘‘We didn’t have much at the time, and Mrs Ball would bring clothes that nobody needed around to the house, and toys for the children.

‘‘If I had a problem, I could send a message into school and Mrs Ball would help us, she was only ever a note away.

“There was one time when our three year old daughter had to have a lipoma removed.

‘‘It was such a worrying time as we weren’t sure what the dissection would uncover.

‘‘Our daughter wanted both her parents there when she went to hospital but we didn’t have anyone else to take care of our older daughter.

‘‘When you have no-one else, it’s really hard.

‘‘Mrs Ball said she would stay back at school with our older daughter.

‘‘She said ‘don’t worry, I’ve got this’, and it was such a weight off our minds.’’

‘‘I nominated Mrs Ball for the School Superheroes award because she has a heart of gold and is the most fantastic woman.”

Principal of Widnes Academy Karen Highcock said: “We are so proud of the work that Mrs Ball does as part of our school team.

‘‘She is an integral part of the local community and provides a range of supportive programmes for our children, and our parents, which has really helped them during the recent lockdown periods.”

Colin Munro, the managing director of Miconex, said: “The School Superheroes campaign was designed to celebrate people like Mrs Ball, whose kindness and support, over and above what would normally be expected, makes such a difference in children’s and families’ lives.

‘‘Congratulations to Mrs Ball and Widnes Academy, and we look forward to announcing our winning School Superhero in September.”

Families have up to 31st August 2021 to nominate their school superheroes who have made a positive contribution to their school community: https://townandcitygiftcards.com/schoolsuperhero