The first female presenter of male sports bastion, Grandstand, and first female hero of Endeavour School - the two may seem worlds apart but for Helen Rollason there seems to be no distinction between them.

This week, when she accepted her Hero of Endeavour award at the Brentwood school, no one could be forgiven for thinking the award might just have the edge!

Helen, 42, of Kelvedon Hatch, is still waging a desperate long-term battle against terminal cancer. She said she was "very, very honoured and very, very privileged" by the award, presented by head teacher Peter Pryke, for "personal achievement and courage''.

Speaking exclusively to the Gazette afterwards she said: "I believe it is the children here who are the heroes, not me. I think they are all really smashing and they all deserve an award.

"I am extremely honoured to be associated with a local school which is doing such good work."

The Endeavour School aims to set up a sports college for Essex students with learning disadvantages and its first target is to raise £1,000 by June next year. Boxer Frank Bruno, from Stondon Massey, was named the school's first Hero.

SCHOOL HERO: Helen with pupils Sophie Chapman and Ricky Hayden, both 11.

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