THE LATE teenage charity activist who raised £5 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust will be postumously awarded an jonorary degree by Coventry University on Tuesday.
Stephen Sutton MBE, the teenage who tragically lost his four-year battle with cancer in May this year, will receive an honorary doctorate of science in recognition of his outstanding contribution to higlighting the unique needs of teenages and young adults with cancer.
In September,the Teenage Cancer Trust announce that £1.2 milllion from the funds the Burntwood-born charity activist raised would be used to create 50 scholarships in his name for professionals to undertake training on Coventry University’s postgraduate certificate in Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Care.
Speaking on behalf of the charity, Chief Executive Siobhan Dunn said: “Stephen trusted us to spend the money well and to ‘keep doing what we do’ and this is reflected in our plans.
“However, Stephen has also allowed us to be more ambitious and we will do more in the next five years than ever before.
“Stephen’s gift to a charity of our size is more than money – the awareness raised of cancer in young people and new supporters inspired by Stephen will be essential if we are to help every young person with cancer who needs us.”
Stephen’s mother, Jane Sutton, who will be collecting the award for him, said that being it has come as a ‘wonderful suprise’ to her and Stephen’s family.
She added: “To be awarded an honorary doctorate of science is especially fitting for Stephen as he had planned to go to university to study medicine.
“He decided he wanted to be a doctor from the moment he started to spend time in hospital when he was 15.
“Although it was not how he originally intended, he still made that difference.
“His accomplishments have benfited humanity and his legacy will help others now and in the future.
“I feel incredibly proud that Stephen’s acievements are to be recognised ion this way by Coventry University and I know he would feel the same about the honorary degree and the scholarships that have been sety up in ihs name.”
Stephen’s honorary degree will be awarded on Tuesday, November 19 in a ceremony at Coventry Cathedral alongside film director Ken Loach and Archbishop Justin Welby, who are also in line to receive honorary doctorates.
