A MEMORIAL award is to be created in honour of nine- year-old

Stephanie Hammacott, who died in the Southway gas blast in

January.

Her memory is to be celebrated with a special Gold Star Award,

to be presented annually from next year, to a youngster who has

shown courage, resilience or determination.

Stephanie’s parents Carol and Paul, who live in Bulteel Gardens

where the explosion took place, said the award was a fitting

tribute to a girl whose determination marked her out as one of

life’s winners.

They revealed how Stephanie was not only kind but extremely

brave and had stepped in to stop other children being

bullied.

Carol said: “Stephanie was an inspiration to other children.

She was kind, thoughtful and helpful. At school she was a

determined worker who befriended children she feared were being

isolated.”

Stephanie was a member of her local Brownie pack, where she was

a sixer who took younger children under her wing.

During pack holidays she passed over the chance to be with

friends her own age so she could look after two disabled

twins.

At home, she was an inspiration to her parents and two older

sisters who described her as “little sister, playmate and best

friend”.

“Stephanie had a wicked and contagious laugh which swept us all

along,” said Carol.

“She was a bright, happy girl who enjoyed dancing, posing for

the camera, singing karaoke and dressing up. Wherever she was

there was fun and laughter.”

The new Stephanie Hammacott Award was launched yesterday at the

Plymouth Gold Star Awards ceremony, organised by The Herald and

bus company First.

Announcing the award, First’s managing director Marc Reddy said

it was a fitting tribute to an exceptional young girl.

He said: “From next year, this award will be presented annually

to a young person who has shown the kind of determination and

bravery so characteristic of Stephanie.

“Carol and Paul want the award to go to another young person

with Stephanie’s passion and spirit.”

The family has set up a fund in memory of Stephanie to raise

money for Jeremiah’s Journey, which helps children and their

families come to terms with the death of a loved one.

A community fundraising event is to be held to mark what would

have been her 10th birthday this year.

The announcement followed a special presentation at the Gold

Star Awards ceremony to everyone involved in the aftermath of

the Southway explosion.

Gerry Jones, who rescued Ron and Rene Cloke from their home

after the blast, received the overall Gold Star Award. There

were also presentations to the emergency services involved in

the rescue.

A special award was presented to nurse Ann Harrison – as a

representative of all the residents of Bulteel Gardens – for

their part in trying to save Stephanie’s life.

A speech was read to the audience on behalf of Mr and Mrs

Hammacott and their other daughters Terri-Ann, 15, and

Tonie-Marie, 12, thanking everyone who helped.

The Hammacotts said: “We would like to congratulate Gerry in

achieving the Gold Star award for his efforts and quick

thinking during the tragic events of January 8.

“We would also like to thank the other individuals – Ann, Liam

and Neil – who assisted in the rescue of Ron and Rene and, of

course, helping Carol with Stephanie.

“Stephanie’s sisters also played an important – and extremely

brave – role in helping their mum at the scene. We would like

to thank all the rescue services who attended the scene on that

day.

“Everyone who was involved should be awarded for individual

things they have done. Thank you to the Southway and Plymouth

community for all your kindness and support throughout this

time.”