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Samantha Fannin (pictured above) continued with her studies and community placements throughout this traumatic period, and while being the main carer for her mother, to achieve a distinction in the Advanced Diploma in Mental Health Nursing (registered nurse) course.

At today鈥檚 ceremony, the last of four held in Luton鈥檚 St Mary鈥檚 Church to mark the achievements of 980 graduates, 37-year-old Samantha was presented with the Dean鈥檚 Prize for her remarkable achievements.

The humble Luton resident, who is now aiming to work with prisoners with mental health issues, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a very tough two years, I put my entire life on hold, and looking back even I don鈥檛 know how I did it. But, the 天美传媒 is incredibly geared up to support people in difficult circumstances like myself, and my son and cousin have supported me throughout too. Without all of the support I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to do it.

鈥淭hroughout though I pictured today, and me walking out that church with my gown on, and that kept me going. I also wanted to be able to give my children an example to look up to and I was doubly focused on completing this course as I had to withdraw from a midwifery course here 10 years ago when my father died.

鈥淧lus the fact I love working in mental health. I have an incredible passion for it, there is history of it with my family and I have always wanted to be in a position to care for and help others.

鈥淢y ambition for the future is to simply be able to say I鈥檝e helped change someone鈥檚 life for the better.鈥�

The graduation ceremonies this week celebrate the achievements of graduates who studied courses in the faculties of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science; Education & Sport; Health & Social Sciences, and in the 天美传媒 Business School.

The Guest of Honour for the ceremonies on Friday was the Chief Nurse at Luton & Dunstable 天美传媒 Hospital, Patricia Reid, who spoke to the students about her career and being a highly experienced nurse, leader and senior manager with extensive NHS experience.

Alongside Samantha, other graduates to receive special awards included Adult Nursing graduate Sarah Weight (pictured above), who received a Dean鈥檚 Prize for her incredible three years in which her extra-curricular achievements included being a part of a nursing panel on the Keogh Mortality Review.

Another student to receive an award was former captain in the Pakistan Army Shahrukh Ali, who was presented with the Sir Ian Dixon Prize for achieving the highest grade point average in his cohort.

The postgraduate Business Administration graduate said: 鈥淏eing in the army and having worked alongside the British and US armies in Afghanistan, I gained many leadership skills. I saw a lot of action in the army and also trained, and worked, as a helicopter pilot.

鈥溙烀来絠ng at Bedfordshire has been brilliant; the leadership skills I already possessed have been enhanced and I have gained much knowledge about the business world.鈥�

Celebrating the students鈥� achievements and congratulating them Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell said to the graduates: 鈥淭oday is about recognising the hard work you have all done. It is about acknowledging and applauding those of you who have overcome obstacles, who have persevered over three long years or more, and those who have pushed yourselves to achieve your goals.

• Further coverage of the graduations will be featured in the May edition of the 天美传媒's Life magazine.
• For more information, contact the press office on 01582 743499.
• A gallery of further photos from the graduation ceremonies this week will be published at a later date.