IN WITH the big hitters – a teenage girl from Penzance came face to face with some of Team GB's best-known fighters after she won a national award.
Carey Jehu met Britain's first ever female Olympic boxing gold medallist Nicola Adams – perhaps the best known smile at London 2012 – at an awards ceremony.
The 19-year-old won the Us Girls Award for woman using sport to overcome difficult backgrounds and hardships and achieve in their lives as part of a national campaign to get more girls active.
Carey, from Sennen, has overcome some real hardships and difficult circumstances – including losing both her parents – to gain the qualification she needs for university and fulfil her dream of becoming a paramedic.
She also met Sarah Stevenson, Britain's first ever female Olympic tae kwon do medallist, and judo Olympian Sophie Cox.
Carey has been helped by Penzance-based young people's charity Trelya to work towards the qualifications she needs for university.
While at Trelya she has taken part in a range of sporting activities and also spent time helping others – working hard for a lifeguard qualification in order to help out at Jubilee Pool.
Carey travelled to Warwick University this week for the ceremony and met Nicola, Sarah and Sophie, as well as the first female Match of the Day presenter and commentator, Jacqui Oatley.
The Us Girls Awards were aimed at encouraging young women into sport and enjoying an active lifestyle.
Carey said: "I couldn't believe that I was chosen for this award. It felt so special.
"I believe that if I can do the things I have managed to do, then anyone can.
"It was really interesting and touching to hear Sarah Stevenson talk about losing both her parents and still managing to get into the Olympics.
"I have lost my parents too, but am still making something of my life. It felt so special to have this recognised with the winning of this award."
Carey was accompanied by Sam Fitzpatrick, from Trelya, who said: "What Carey has achieved through her own efforts is really impressive.
"At Trelya we want to see those barriers come down but also want to make sure that young women know they can achieve what they want, can take part, and know that we will support them to do it."
