Machete heroine Lisa's happiness

A child's first day at school is a big and emotional event for any parent – but for Wolverhampton heroine Lisa Potts it also stirs the trauma of the playground machete attack.

Today the 33-year-old, who receives an honour from the University of Wolverhampton tomorrow, walked her four-year-old son Alfie to school for the very first time.

"Life has to go on," said Lisa, who is credited with saving the lives of youngsters while working as a nursery nurse when she shielded them from machete-wielding attacker Horrett Campbell in 1996.

"Alfie is very excited about starting school and of course it's such a big event for any parent and child. But I do feel I have to reassure myself there's nothing to worry about. I know Alfie is going to be fine. Surely nothing like that would ever happen again," said Lisa, who also has another son, Jude, who turns two on Saturday.

Lisa, who is married to police officer David Webb, aged 37, transformed the awful events of July 8, 1996, into something positive when she founded the charity Believe To Achieve, known as B2A, to help the All Saints and Blakenhall community where the attack happened. It helps local children realise their full potential by working with them to raise their self-esteem.

Tomorow afternoon Lisa will be honoured for her charity work when she is awarded an honorary fellowship from the University of Wolverhampton.

"I'm extremely honoured but it is for the charity. It's not about me," the modest mother-of-two said. "I'm thrilled that something positive has come from something so awful.

"The charity runs sports sessions, drama and creative activities and we have a rock school, too.

"And we are seeing positive result. It's fantastic," added Lisa.

Lisa was awarded the George Medal and more than 20 other awards following her amazing act of bravery.