A YOUNG woman from Wales with Down’s syndrome has completed her first term with the Aurora Foxes Academy, in Minehead, despite the Welsh Government’s refusal to fund her placement.

Arianna Harkin, aged 20, from Nannerch, in North Wales, was accepted for a two-year course with the award-winning academy, the only specialist college and training hotel in the UK for young adults with learning disabilities.

But she was denied funding and told to sign up to a course locally in Wales despite it being considered unsuitable for her needs.

So, her sister Lucy Harkin organised an online fund-raising appeal which brought in more than £5,000 to help Arianna’s family place her with the academy.

Now, after a term in Minehead, Arianna has been awarded best student in her house and third most inspirational student in the whole college.

She was also recognised for significant development of her independence skills which led to a move to new accommodation for the second term, allowing her to take on greater responsibility for herself.

Lucy said: “My family would like to say a huge thank you to everybody for the incredible generosity you have shown for Arianna’s journey towards independence.

“Arianna has settled into college life brilliantly.

“The progress she has made in the first term has reinforced that this was the right placement for her in so many ways.

“She already has made many friends, thoroughly enjoying being with other students of her own age.

“She started in a front of house training role in Foxes Hotel and we were delighted when she told us she was awarded employee of the month for her first month of being at the college.

“Arianna has had great opportunities to do things in and around Minehead which are so difficult to access if she had to remain at home.

“She has taken up basketball, badminton, ballroom dancing, and loves Friday karaoke sessions.

“As a result of doing well in the hotel, she has also gained some work experience which requires her to travel to a cafe in Watchet each week.

“We are all very proud of Arianna and it is wonderful to see her confidence grow.

“Foxes Academy and the team there are inspirational and it is a joy to see how happy she is.

“My parents have worked extremely hard to make this opportunity happen for Arianna and I would like to continue to help contribute towards her college fees for the next few years.”

Lucy hoped her campaign would help to raise awareness of inequalities which impact those with learning disabilities.

She said in other parts of the UK, most students were able to access Government loans to cover the thousands of pounds which higher education could cost.

Lucy said although in the short-term it seemed an expensive education, there were longer-term savings in social care costs because Arianna would be able to positively contribute to society.

Anybody who would like to share Arianna’s story or donate can find her online funding page here.