The University of Cumbria has honoured a nursing student with an award after her husband was held hostage by the Taliban during her studies. 

Kelly Cornell, a newly registered mental health nurse, was presented with the Jim Cox Prize, a special award for the ‘most inspirational student’.

Her husband Kevin, a humanitarian aid worker, was taken captive by the Taliban in January 2023 while working in Afghanistan. 

Two weeks later Kelly, 49, had to undergo emergency surgery, spending five weeks at home recovering from her operation.

This forced her to delay a professional placement working on acute wards of a mental health hospital, something which she had to complete in order to be eligible for her nursing degree.

News and Star: Kelly alongside her mother, husband, two sons and University vice chancellor, Professor Julie MennellKelly alongside her mother, husband, two sons and University vice chancellor, Professor Julie Mennell (Image: University of Cumbria)

She then went on to fight for her husband’s release during his imprisonment in Afghanistan. 

Once she recovered, she focused on finishing her dissertation and completing the 500 hours of a final professional placement required to earn her degree.

Kelly's husband was eventually freed on October 10 after 272 days of arbitrary detention. 

After graduating alongside 1,100 others at Carlisle Cathedral last week, Kelly said: "As well the support from family and friends, I also could not have done any of this without the support of my lecturers and the universal information and skills I’ve learned on my course that have enabled me to challenge and question what was happening to Kevin and help to fight for his release.

"When Kevin was taken, we were used to him working away but upon hearing he had been taken I think it made me even more determined to finish my course so when he came home we could focus on us, our family and move forward and focus on the future together."

News and Star: Kelly is congratulated on stage by the University's vice chancellorKelly is congratulated on stage by the University's vice chancellor (Image: University of Cumbria)

Kelly was joined by her husband Kevin, her mother and two of her seven children at graduation in Carlisle.

Kevin said: "This is a moment of exceptional pride for me. She fought tirelessly to push the boundaries of the government’s talks with the Taliban to secure my release. Kelly triumphed over adversity and never gave up."