Twelve-year-old Millie from Warmington, Northamptonshire, certainly is on a mission. Today, she’s campaigning for the East Midlands Academy Trust to put a ramp on her school’s playing field. Millie is a great horse rider but as a footballer, she really shines. Last year, following a football injury, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that resulted in the amputation of her left leg. Currently receiving treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, Millie is determined to compete for the England women’s amputee football team and eventually participate in the Paralympics.
Her school has put in place some reasonable adjustments to enable her learning environment. She continues to have difficulty getting onto the field of play due to a challenging grade. His family is concerned with the trust’s recent decision to not put a ramp in. Parents Gordon and Gemma, both officers with Cambridgeshire Police, have made their case on the impact of this refusal, underlining how this determination is damaging the spirit of the Equality Act 2010.
Lee Barron, a local Labour politician, has taken up Millie’s cause, stating, “Her parents, the school and I have asked the East Midlands Academy Trust to put in a ramp, but it has refused.” Barron expressed his disappointment over the trust’s decision during debate in the House of Commons. He trashed them in their moral duty to even make the smallest changes necessary for Millie.
“Does the Prime Minister agree that the trust has an absolute moral obligation to make those adjustments to give Millie full access to all the school, so that she can play and thrive with all her friends?” – Lee Barron
Millie’s ambitions reach far past her local school district. She has played at the academy of Peterborough United FC, as well as with Oundle Town girls, showcasing her skills in the game. A core group of 30 faithful supporters recently rocked the house on an incredible journey. They made the 88 mile trek from Peterborough United’s London Road ground to Stamford Bridge to raise money for Millie’s new specialist prosthetic leg and further treatment.
While in the House of Commons, Millie was introduced to some key political leaders. She had the opportunity to engage with Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. She called it an amazing day that she will never forget. Sir Keir Starmer praised Millie’s courage in going public and called on the school trust to change their position.
“Rather than berate those in the trust from the Chamber, I would just implore them… to reconsider that decision, put in that ramp and match the positivity and the courage that Millie has shown all of us,” – Sir Keir Starmer
As part of that work to keep Millie safe, she told us she wanted to be more active with her classmates.
“I want to be able to do some sports on there,” – Millie
The East Midlands Academy Trust has admitted liability and agreed to ensure Millie’s learning needs are met by making a range of adaptations. A spokesperson stated, “We have already made a wide range of reasonable adjustments to support Millie’s learning and we continue to work closely with her and her family.”
