AN A-Level student who lost her mum to cancer has been awarded a prestigious prize at college.

York College A-Level Psychology student Keely Horne has won the 2016 Caroline’s Rainbow Foundation Psychology Prize.

It is awarded annually in memory of ex-student Caroline Stuttle who was tragically murdered during a gap year in Australia in 2002. Keely, 18, formerly a pupil at Manor CE Academy, has studied A-Levels in psychology, English language and biology. Her tutors describe her as a ‘clever, hardworking and inspirational student who has demonstrated maturity beyond her years, having to cope with great personal loss during her time at college.”

Psychology tutor Christine Johnson said: “Keely is a lovely girl, she joined York College in September 2014 and very sadly two months later she lost her mum to cancer. During this difficult time she put a huge amount of effort into not falling behind with her studies, fitting in lessons around hospice visits, taking just one day off for the funeral and getting straight back to her college work. Keely lives independently, looking after her younger brother, and has shown great resilience. She has achieved excellent grades throughout the two-year course and deserves to do well.”

Keely said: “I knew about the prize but hadn’t thought I would be the one to get it. I really like psychology, especially the criminology/science aspects. I enjoy watching the television programme Criminal Minds - I’m drawn to the work of the psychologists. I also study biology and I find it fascinating to see how the two subjects combine.”

Caroline’s mum, Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, presented Keely with a gift voucher and certificate.

She said: “Keely has excelled in her studies at college during a very difficult period of her life and must be commended for staying focussed. My daughter Caroline loved psychology and was looking forward to going to university to study the subject further.”