Carlton-in-Lindrick: Amazing Michael gets Notts Young Person of the Year nomination

Michael Pullin, 16, spends time helping youngsters in St John Ambulance cadets, Scouts, and his church, but is also planning to a trip to Kenya to help children there.

And his efforts have seen Michael, of Richmond Road, put forward for a Bakkavor Desserts Young People of the Year or YOPEY as they have become known, which carries with it a first prize of £800.

YOPEY is open to young people aged 10-25 who live, work and study across Notts and reveals, recognises and rewards those who put in extraordinary efforts to help others in their families, communities, charities and voluntary groups or aid people abroad.

A typical week sees him attending explorer scouts, where he is currently planning an expedition, on a Monday, a church youth club on a Tuesday, the St John Ambulance cadet division on Wednesday, help run a Beavers group on Thursday, gardening for an old person in the village on a Friday, attend North Notts Performing Arts on a Saturday and play drums in a local church service on Sunday.

All this is in addition to his studies at Outwood Academy Portland in Worksop, where he has various duties with the school council.

Michael was nominated by Emma Johnson, manager of the St John Ambulance cadets who is impressed by the way he turns out, not just on patrol or drill but to help others.

Emma is no stranger to YOPEY herself, as she was runner-up when the competition was last held in Notts for her commitment and hard work to the St John Ambulance where she volunteered in memory of her father.

“Michael dedicates all his time to helping other people,” she said.

“He is one of the most hard-working people I know and a great asset to the division.”

He is a youth ambassador for St John in Notts, so goes on roadshows and does demonstrations, something he describes as “quite fun”.

A qualified first-aider, he gives up his time to go on public duties at events to assist when people are taken ill or hurt.

“It’s good work what St John does and I’m proud to be part of it,” added Michael, who wants to turn his enthusiasm into a career and become a paramedic.

At Outwood Academy Portland, he is part of the student council he can voice concerns about issues. He helps with fund-raising and also anti-bullying ideas.

He is also one of a group of 14 boys and girls who will be heading to Kenya in the summer for three weeks to help a village community.

They will start work on building a primary school, teach basic maths and English to school kids and coach them in sport.

“I’m greatly looking forward to it,” he commented.

“Michael is a busy lad, helping in his school, with the Beavers, the St John Ambulance cadets and church. He gives up a lot of his free time to help others in the community,” said YOPEY founder Tony Gearing.

YOPEY is backed by the leaders of the three main political parties at Westminster and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

If you know someone who deserves to be nominated for a YOPEY award, visit yopey.org. Entries close on Thursday, 31st July.