18-year-old Lucy Henning has been promoted at work after a successful apprenticeship at Salford testing firm BioClinics.
Lucy, who lives in Eccles, is the daughter of murdered Islamic State hostage Alan ‘Gadget’ Henning.
Her father’s death last year at the hands of terrorist militants came after his kidnap in December 2013 while on his fourth volunteer aid mission to Syria.
Salfordian of the Year: Alan ‘Gadget’ Henning
Alan Henning Anniversary: Eccles covered in yellow ribbons one year after IS murder
The brave teenager, who keeps photos of her dad on her desk, has now been appointed to the new post of clinical administration co-ordinator.
She is responsible for co-ordinating the day-to-day duties of a team of clinical administrators who liaise with clients, clinics and laboratories across the UK and Ireland about workplace drug and alcohol tests, weight loss and DNA relationship tests.
Lucy joined BioClinics as a clinical administrator under an apprenticeship scheme managed by Skills Solutions.
She took three months’ paid leave when news broke of her father’s plight, but continued to receive strong support from her bosses and colleagues.
Lucy said the nature of her job helped keep her mind off her own troubles once she returned to work.
“The role meant dealing with things going on in other people’s lives and it helped take my mind off my own situation,” she said.
“I think about my father all the time, and sometimes I have to take a few minutes away from my desk to calm myself, but I am more positive about life now.
“My promotion is the best thing to have happened to me since my father was killed, and my family are all really pleased for me.”
She also said the apprenticeship had boosted her confidence.
“At first, I was really shy – I wouldn’t even answer the phones. But I’ve gained confidence and have grown as a person.
“I’m extremely grateful for the support given to me by the BioClinics team and I am excited about my new role.
Nichola McChrystal, founder and scientific director of BioClinics, said: “Despite the unimaginable trauma in her personal life, Lucy has excelled in her role as an apprentice and fully deserves her promotion.
“She has demonstrated an extraordinary level of maturity for her age.
“This, along with her high level of technical competency and common sense approach, has earned her respect from her colleagues and has impressed the directors.
“Lucy is proof that, no matter what hardship a person faces in life, as long as they have the strength of character to fight on and the right level of support around them, they can achieve anything.”
Nichola said: “We believe our apprentices are a long-term investment whom we can develop into highly-skilled employees with managerial prospects in the years to come.”
