Former Kineton student receives courage award

Jack Zuliani, now 18, was a seven-year-old Dassett Primary School pupil when, in 2003, he collided with a goalpost while playing a game of British Bulldog.

He was left temporarily paralysed with a risk of permanent injury and was promptly taken to Warwick hospital by the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.

Fortunately Jack was left with just bruising to his back and a massive respect for the service which helped him.

In April he ran the London Marathon - completing the event as one of its youngest competitors in three hours and 13 minutes and raising more than £3,000 for the air ambulance in the process.

His training took place while he was still studying for his A Levels in which he achieved an A* and three As.

As a result of his efforts, Jack received a Children of Courage Award at a ceremony at a ceremony at Villa Park in Birmingham.

He said: ‘I am proud to be nominated for such a prestigious award and humbled to have won alongside some really inspirational people on such a special night,

“I’d like to say thank you to my friends and family for putting up with my obsessive training and of course Kineton High School for going over and above to support both my running and ‎fundraising targets.”

Jack is now studying Maths at the University of Bath.

A school spokesman said: “Everyone at Kineton High School is extremely proud of Jack and his ability to manage the huge task of training and running the marathon while also successfully taking his A Levels.

“We are really delighted that Jack’s hard work has been recognised in this way.”