The emotional parents of a County Durham teen who has been left in a coma after attempting to take his own life have said they are 'so proud' after he received his A-level results in person today.
“Out of every bad thing comes something better, and I think George has proven that so many times.”
14 months ago, George Rabbett-Smith’s parents David and Hilary were left devastated after returning home to find their son had attempted suicide.
The now-18-year-old had been struggling with his mental health after the deaths of his two close friends - and was left fighting for his life after being airlifted to hospital.
But today (Thursday, August 15), George - whose parents feared he would not “make it a month” after the tragic incident - picked up his fantastic A-level results in person at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington.
George is now the proud holder of a Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Sport with two Distinction stars and a Certificate of Recognition in Sociology with a grade C.
And his parents are - of course - “so proud” of the County Durham teen, who continues to make progress as his recovery continues.
Hilary Rabbett told The Northern Echo: “We’re so proud of George for having achieved what he has. We are absolutely amazed, we wouldn’t have expected it to be fair at the end of his first year.
“It is another bit of hope for the future I think, we are really confident that George will make a recovery. He will never be quite as quick-witted as before but we are confident we will make a recovery and, with that recovery, he has now got something to take to the future.
“All the support we have had from QE has been phenomenal and we are just so grateful and so proud.”
George's inspirational pal Adiy - and his tireless work for young men's mental health
George was joined at QE by his fiercely loyal and selfless friend Adiy Ahmed, who spearheaded a positive mental health campaign, helping to establish I’m George’s Mate in 2023.
The charity aims to educate young people on suicide and gave George’s family and friends to channel their focus while he was in hospital.
Stockton 18-year-old Adiy has now secured a prestigious software engineering apprenticeship, and will take up his new role with global IT giant, Accenture, in September.
The former Ian Ramsey CofE Academy student, who received QE’s Volunteer of the Year award at the College’s annual Volunteering Awards, said: “Our main goal is to provide young men with the tools so that nobody finds themselves in George’s situation.
“We hope to introduce a buddy system in schools and make lessons about suicide awareness compulsory.”
Adiy’s efforts have seen him travel to the Houses of Parliament to deliver a speech on the charity’s campaign and he has organised countless events to raise funds, on top of studying for his A Levels.
“The college picked me up when I was at my lowest following George’s suicide attempt and gave me the strength to channel my sadness into something positive, he said.
“I will forever be grateful to them.”
Hilary continued: “Adiy has been amazing, as have all of George’s friends. We have had so much support from the QE group of George’s friends.
“Adiy has been a trustee for us for the charity and has been to visit George constantly throughout and he is such a loyal and dedicated friend.
“He has done so well and we are as proud of him as George. George was very very loyal to his friends and his friends have been very very loyal to George, and it has been incredible.”
‘In a world where joy is sometimes very limited right now, it’s very positive’
George has been unable to attend classes for more than a year due to the incident, which took place just weeks after one friend tragically died in a car crash and another died following a heart attack.
But QE still entered him for his A-level exams, applying for extenuating circumstances and having his grades based on Year 12 results, with George having done “very well” in his mock exams.
While still not being able to speak, George is now able to form words and can communicate by muttering and blinking.
He was moved to a care facility in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, in June, having spent months at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, a specialist rehab hospital in Walkergate, and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
George - who dreamed of becoming an MMA fighter - is now able to breathe without any intervention, is now able to cough well, and is making slow progress.
Hilary continued: “It is very emotional and I think we never thought we would be here. 14 months ago, we didn’t think George would make it a month, let alone 14 months and be picking up A Level results.
“Very emotional, very proud, and I think we all feel as a family incredibly supported and loved by the staff at QE, George’s friends, and it has just been an amazing experience.
“Out of every bad thing comes something better, and I think George has proven that so many times.”
Later this month, I’m George’s Mate will be hosting a football match at Green Lane in Barnard Castle, with all money raised going to help young men struggling with mental health.
Hilary is continuing to fight to "remove the taboo" around suicide, saying we have "got to get people to talk about it". She said: "If we are talking about it, there is hope for the future."
The event will take place on Saturday, August 31.
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Lydia Elliott, Job Coach at QE, adds: “It is a testament to Adiy’s hard work and dedication that he has obtained a highly sought-after apprenticeship with Accenture.
“The selection process was incredibly intense and involved group work, a presentation and several interviews. We are absolutely delighted for Adiy and wish him every success for the future.”
Principal Laurence Job, comments, “Everyone at QE is incredibly proud of all of Adiy’s achievements. He is an exceptionally talented and compassionate young man. We wish him every success for the future.”
If you are in need of support you can contact the following:
- Samaritans is available, day or night, 365 days of the year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
- If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258
- SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58
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