Nineteen-year-old Tommy has been recognised with a Mayor’s Award celebrating his dedication, determination, and contribution to his community.
Tommy, who has muscular dystrophy and attends our Coventry Centre for physiotherapy, works as a trainee accountant for a school trust and also serves as a governor for a primary school. “It’s about making sure we’re doing the right thing and that education is right for everyone,” he explained. “In one of the last meetings, we agreed to spend money on new outdoor play equipment because the old ones were broken.”
His mum, who nominated him for the award, said it was given “in appreciation of all the work he’s done. He’s gone through every school in the trust — from infants to juniors to secondary — and now works at the trust itself. He wanted to represent young disabled people in that kind of forum, and he’s doing that too.”
When presenting the award, the Mayor praised Tommy, saying he was “doing amazingly,” recognising both his achievements and the challenges he has faced.
Alongside his work and volunteering, Tommy is completing an accountancy qualification. He has just finished his Level 2 course and is now progressing to Level 3, with plans to qualify as an accounting technician and eventually become a Chief Finance Officer. “Tommy’s ambitious,” his mum said. “He’s determined, clever, and so committed to what he does. Once he sets his mind to something, he won’t stop until he’s achieved it.”
Tommy was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of six, but focuses on what he can do rather than what he can’t. “It felt really good to get the award,” he said. “I didn’t expect to win, but it means a lot.”
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