A Derry teenager has won a major award for the courage she showed after the death of both her parents.
Suffering the death of a parent is traumatic at any age but to endure the grief of not just one but two dying within four months of each other seems incomprehensible.
But that is the unfair hand fate dealt tragedy stricken Danielle McGinley, who is aged just 15.
Heartbreakingly, Danielle (pictured), who is a pupil at St Mary’s College, made a deathbed promise to her father John and then her mother Anne Marie that she would stay at school; pass all her exams and make them proud.
And despite her heartache that is exactly what she has done.
In recognition of her achievement, Danielle received the ‘Child of Courage’ award at the Heroes of Youth Awards 2016, held in Belfast on Friday night last.
In their judgement, the judges said she was a worthy winner.
“You couldn’t help but be emotionally moved by Danielle’s heartbreaking loss of her parents at such a critical stage in her young life,” the judges said.
“But true to her promise to her dad and mum Danielle studied hard at school and got great GCSE results despite having to cope with the shocking deaths of both her parents.
“She’s shown courage in abundance – a very deserving young hero.”
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