Fred and Anne Jarvis award winner - Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler
The parents of Zane Gbangbola, who died age seven, received the Fred and Anne Jarvis award for their ongoing fight for truth and justice. Zane was poisoned to death when floodwater infused with hydrogen cyanide entered the family home, also paralysing father Kye from the waist down.
Kye said: “This is an interlinking fight for our children, parents and a safe environment.” Since his tragic death, they have struggled for 11 years to raise awareness of the dangers of contaminated land and the need for greater protection from climate change.
Dedicating the award to Zane, Kye said the “mighty” NEU could help support them to send “shockwaves” to the prime minister.
Nicole added, “We personally will never win. Zane has been taken from us. But we promise to fight to make sure that what happened to Zane never happens again.”
They received a two-minute standing ovation from delegates.
About the award
Each year since 2008, an annual award has been made to recognise the contribution of an individual, who is external to the Union, who has been involved in campaigning on a national or local educational issue.
Previous award winners include the children’s author Michael Rosen; education activist Malala Yousafzai; Marcus Rashford, for his campaigning on free school meals; Madeleine Holt, co-founder of campaign group Rescue Our Schools; and journalist Mellissa Benn for championing the cause of comprehensive education.