West Norfolk school receives award in memory of student

An award in memory of a teenager who died last year has been presented to a West Norfolk school to mark the help and support it gave her.

​Eboni Bunn suffered from several health conditions and passed away in February 2022 at the age of 19. She was a student at St Clement’s High School in Terrington St Clement, and an award set up in her name to reward ‘exemplary service’ has been made to the school at the request of her mother, Lisa Belverstone.

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“Eboni’s mum was asked who she would like to receive the award,” said Karen Street, Pastoral Support at St Clement’s. 

“She was kind enough to think of us as the first recipients of what will be an annual award.”

“Eboni joined St Clement’s in Year 10 and quickly embraced life here,and was a well-loved and enthusiastic member of her peer group. Her zest for adventure and seizing the day was evident when she attended the Year 10 paintball trip.

“She was supported by her form tutor, one-to-one support, teachers, peers and pastoral officer. Her mum was always available if a call was needed, and was key in communicating Eboni’s needs. We also saw Eboni attend her end-of-year 11 prom.”

The Award has been created through the Eboni Bunn Foundation – an initiative established by Eboni’s brothers, Luke and Ryan, to raise money in their sister’s name.  They also have support from the Hunstanton and District Rotary Club, which had helped to fund an electric wheelchair for the teenager, as well as a family holiday to Canada.

“After Eboni passed, her two brothers started raising money in her name. Part of this has resulted in the award that is presented to someone who has had a positive impact on Eboni’s life,” said Ms Street.

The ceremony took place at a Changeover Night event hosted by the Rotary Club at Heacham Manor Hotel, where around 50 guests saw Eboni’s mother present St Clement’s Headteacher Nigel Willingham with the inaugural Eboni Bunn Award.

Ms Street and Eboni’s form tutor, Sally Wood, were also there to represent the school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Receiving an award of this nature from the family is very humbling,” continued Ms Street. “Eboni was a unique, strong, well-loved individual that was a credit to herself, her family and our school. Knowing that in some small part you have been able to have a positive impact which is remembered beyond the young person’s time in school is truly wonderful.

“Eboni was, and always will be, part of our school community. She is remembered with much fondness for her strength of character and incredible gift of grasping every opportunity with both hands. The school will be holding a future event to raise funds in Eboni’s name to support the Foundation.”