A LIFETIME of serious illness and prejudice has not stopped two exceptional teenagers from realising their dreams of going to university to study for their bright futures.

Alycia Leach and Sharifah Rahman, both students at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, earned outstanding A-level results despite dealing with adversity from an early age.

“Incredible” Alycia was left wheelchair and housebound after being diagnosed with significant spinal problems that left her struggling to stand or walk while at secondary school.

The student, from Darlington, missed key years of her GCSE studies while she attended numerous appointments at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for chronically-ill children.

But her strength and resilience shone through as she learned to walk again and went on to achieve promising first year A-level results that inspired her to apply to read history at Cambridge University.

Following a rigorous selection and interview process at the prestigious institution, Alycia learned yesterday that her A-level results were enough to see her study at her university of choice after earning three A* grades.

Laurence Job, vice principal at QESFC, said: “Alycia is an amazing young woman whose courage and determination make her an excellent role model.

“Exceptionally intelligent and talented, she also has a generosity of spirit and a wonderful sense of humour which results in teachers and fellow students holding her in very high regard.

“She has a spectacular future ahead of her and we all wish her every success.”

Alycia’s mother added that she believes support from the college is the reason why her daughter has gone on to become a high achiever in her A-level subjects of English language, English literature and history.

Her grades added to QESFC’s overall attainment level, with 99.2 per cent of all students passing their A-levels, including more than 57 per cent earning A*, A and B grades.

QESFC principal, Tim Fisher, said: “These tremendous results are the product of a huge amount of hard work by students and staff at QE.

“Our students thoroughly deserve their success and can now look forward to very bright and rewarding futures.”

Fellow Darlington student, Sharifah, was also praised for her commitment to helping others while studying for her final college exams which will see her studying politics at Newcastle University in September.

After personally experiencing hate crimes from a young age, the teenager was motivated to change social stereotypes by speaking to fellow students about her life as a Muslim.

She was backed by Darlington MP Jenny Chapman to launch a Peace Campaign in a bid to bring North-East communities together to eradicate hate crimes.

County Durham and Darlington’s Police and Victims’ Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg has also supported Sharifah who has recently set up a Stand Up to Racism group in Darlington.

In her gap year between College and taking up her place at Newcastle University, Sharifah is planning to continue her passion for social and political activism and she recently made a speech in Newcastle at a vigil for the victims of the Finsbury Park terrorist attack in London in June.

Mr Job added: “Sharifah is a remarkable young woman

“She has a tremendous amount of drive and energy, and I am delighted that her excellent A-level results have enabled her to study at university a subject she feels so passionate about.”

Fellow peers Cameron Brown, from Darlington, achieved four A* grades to study English at the University College London, while Harry Iveson, from Leyburn, near Richmond, received four A* grades in chemistry, further mathematics, mathematics, and physics.

Andy McBride, also from Darlington, will study mathematics at Warwick University after attaining four A* grades and Tom Moody, from Hartlepool, will use his four A* grades to study electronic engineering.