Bassetlaw: Youngsters celebrate at annual courage awards

The determination and personal sacrifice of youngsters in our communities was celebrated this week at a ceremony in Worksop.
Rotary Club of  Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured are award winners with Bassetlaw District Council Chairman Coun Gwyneth Jones and Rotary District Governor Stephen LawesRotary Club of  Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured are award winners with Bassetlaw District Council Chairman Coun Gwyneth Jones and Rotary District Governor Stephen Lawes
Rotary Club of Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured are award winners with Bassetlaw District Council Chairman Coun Gwyneth Jones and Rotary District Governor Stephen Lawes

The Rotary Clubs of Bassetlaw presented the awards on Monday 22nd June at the Ceres Suite at Bassetlaw District Council.

The three rotary clubs in the area - Worksop, Worksop Dukeries and Retford - support many groups and organisations including Bassetlaw Food Bank, Bluebell Wood and Focus on Young People in Bassetlaw.

The pupils were nominated by their schools who felt they were deserving of special recognition.

Rotary Club of  Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured are Nicholas Kemp and Charlotte KempRotary Club of  Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured are Nicholas Kemp and Charlotte Kemp
Rotary Club of Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured are Nicholas Kemp and Charlotte Kemp

A spokesman for the rotary clubs said: “We are all aware of the difficulties many people have to cope with in their lives and how this can affect families and friends. We in the rotary are please to recognise the hard work, personal sacrifice and sheer determination which have helped our candidates to overcome some of these problems.”

“We extend our sincere congratulations to all our award winners.”

Brother and sister Nicholas and Charlotte Kemp, who attend Outwood Academy Valley and North Notts College respectively, were nominated for caring for their mum and giving her a lot of support while also keeping up to date with their school work.

Matthew Mellor, who attends Outwood Academy Portland, has a rare form of cancer but despite this he never complains and always excels at his studies.

Rotary Club of  Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured is Rebecca HinchcliffeRotary Club of  Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured is Rebecca Hinchcliffe
Rotary Club of Bassetlaw Children of Courage Awards , pictured is Rebecca Hinchcliffe

Molly Shaw, also of Outwood Academy Portland, was nominated for looking after her mum who has regular visits to hospital. Molly has also taken part in a variety of activities to help others build their confidence and self-esteem.

James Williamson, a student at the Worksop Post 16 Centre, has overcome many difficulties while still achieving a 99 per cent attendance rate.

The 16th annual awards were presented by Coun Gwyneth Jones, chairman of Bassetlaw District Council, together with the rotary district governor, Stephen Lawes.

Full list of nominees: Amy Womack, of Elizabethan Academy; Matthew Mellor, of Outwood Academy Portland; Molly Shaw, of Outwood Academy Portland; Ryan Baker of Retford Post 16 Centre; Jack Westwood of St Giles School; Chloe Sindall of St Giles Post 16 Centre; Isobel Skelton of Tuxford Academy; Rebecca Hinchcliffe of Tuxford Academy; Charlotte Kemp of North Notts College and James Williamson of Worksop Post 16 Centre.