NOTTS: Outstanding youngsters honoured in awards

A series of powerful video interviews help demonstrate the outstanding achievements of young people in Nottinghamshire, who were celebrated at the annual 4uth Awards.
District winners in the Notts 4Uth awards. Picture by Andrew Hallsworth, Marlow Photographic.District winners in the Notts 4Uth awards. Picture by Andrew Hallsworth, Marlow Photographic.
District winners in the Notts 4Uth awards. Picture by Andrew Hallsworth, Marlow Photographic.

The awards evening was held at the Old Library, in Leeming Street, Mansfield, organised by the county council’s youth service. During the evening, guests were entertained by young performers and musicians from County Youth Arts.

Councillor Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are very proud of our young people in Nottinghamshire and they are doing some fantastic things, working really hard in their communities.

“There are some wonderfully positive role models out there and so choosing people to win from their districts and then a final winner from across the county is always a very hard task.”

There were seven district winners:

Ashfield: Kyle Sherwin, 18, lives in Sutton-in-Ashfield. Kyle was nominated because of his work as a dedicated volunteer both in his local community and also at an orphanage in India. He has been nominated for the award by Emma Bettridge, a county council youth worker.

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Kyle is an inspiration to other young people, giving up his free time not only to run activities in his local youth club, but also to travel to India to help out at an orphanage in India. The events he has helped to organise locally benefits lots of young children. Many congratulations to Kyle on being named as the Ashfield district winner for these awards.”

Bassetlaw winner Adam Bower, 14, lives in North Wheatley near Retford. He was nominated for the award by Kimberly Goodwin who is a youth worker. Adam has been nominated because of his commitment as a carer for his sister, Charlotte, as a member of the Bassetlaw Young People’s Forum and as a student.

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Adam has already achieved so much at such a young age – caring for his younger sister, doing two jobs as well as studying and also giving young people a voice through the Bassetlaw Voice Forum. Many congratulations to him on winning the district award for Bassetlaw for this year’s 4Uth Awards.”

Broxtowe: Winner Kayleigh Eager, 17, lives in Beeston. She has been nominated for the award by Nikki Loydall, a county council youth worker. Kayleigh was nominated for the award because of the mature and helpful contribution she makes within her local community and at home.

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to highlight Kayleigh’s success. As the eldest of six children, she does a lot to help her family at home in terms of daily chores. She takes this supportive philosophy into all areas of her life, getting involved as a Peer Mentor at her school and in her community. Well done to Kayleigh on being named as the Broxtowe district winner for the 4Uth awards.”

Gedling: Thomas King, 17, lives in Labray Road, Calverton. He was nominated for the award by his mother Deborah Allsopp.

Thomas was nominated because of the way he has overcome a number of serious health issues including Asperger’s Syndrome, narcolepsy, restless legs and other barriers in his life to carry out a range of voluntary work in the disabled community and to progress with his education.

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Thomas is an inspiration as he does not let his health difficulties get in the way of achieving so much in his daily life. He is bringing so much value to other young people with disabilities by mentoring a football team and monthly disco, and has taken huge strides with his study to be able to overcome challenges and is doing really well at his school on his learning programme. Well done to Thomas on being named as the Gedling district winner for this year’s 4Uth Awards.”

Mansfield: Emilie Wright, lives in Mansfield Woodhouse. Emilie was nominated for her work in her local community supporting the Mansfield Woodhouse Community Development Group.

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Emilie contributes a huge amount of time and effort in her local area through community groups including the Mansfield Woodhouse Community Development Group which bring you value to the local community. She demonstrates great energy and creativity with everything she does related to fundraising and organising events and she can be rightly proud to have been named as the Mansfield winner of the 4Uth awards.”

Newark and Sherwood: Hannah Bagshaw, lives in Rainworth. Hannah was nominated for the way she has overcome barriers presented by the fact she has cerebral palsy, to make a valued contribution to the local Brownie pack as a Guide leader. Hannah is 15 and was nominated for the award by Sarah Clarkson who is a Brownie group leader.

Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Hannah does not let cerebral palsy get in the way of what she wants to achieve and she has done so much to promote the Guides and Brownies in her local area of Rainworth. She does so much to support the movement which must be really inspiring to so many people and we are thrilled that she has been named as the Newark and Sherwood district winner for this year’s 4Uth awards.”

Rushcliffe’s Tiegan Hull was crowned the overall winner of the awards organised each year by Nottinghamshire County Council in partnership with the Nottingham Post