The Lord-Lieutenant’s Award for Young People 2007

The event, held at County Hall, saw young people from both Leicester and Leicestershire being rewarded for some of the most remarkable examples of dedication, service to others and outstanding personal achievements.  

The award, which is open to young people aged 13-19, is the first of its kind to be initiated by a Lord-Lieutenant.  Lady Grettton wanted to identify and reward the best examples of achievement amongst our young people.

Lady Gretton, said: “As Lord-Lieutenant I have had the pleasure of meeting lots of remarkable young people who at times despite disadvantage or obstacles placed before them have shown great courage and dedication.  Many of their achievements go un-noticed by the wider community and all too often we hear of examples that show young people in a negative light.  I would like to congratulate all the candidates for this year’s awards and look forward to presenting more awards next year.”

Over 50 people were identified by members of the public as potential candidates for the awards.  The awards were divided into four categories each with three

short-listed candidates, with one winner for each section and one overall winner.  The runners-up in each category all received ipod nano’s, other prizes included laptops and a camcorder.  Each category winner was awarded a prize worth £500.  The overall winner, who is a canoeing champion, was presented with a canoe!

The Lord Lieutenant’s Young Person of the Year Award and the Award for ‘Bravery’ went to Lorna Twomlow from Market Harborough.  A student at Kibworth High School, Lorna has demonstrated her bravery throughout her life by facing up to spina bifida.  She has undergone 19 operations and overcame her difficulties so successfully that in 2005 she won 14 medals at the British Wheelchair Foundation Games, 8 medals at the Norwich Union Junior Games in 2006 and further medals at the Foundation Games in 2006. Last year Lorna completed her Duke of Edinburgh Award Gold Expedition.

Lorna has used her determination and achievements to help others.  She has worked in an orphanage for blind children in Romania and for many years has assisted a summer play scheme helping young people with special needs.   She is also involved in a community-volunteering programme, helping young people with sports activities at Ashfield Special School.  

Lorna was presented with a canoe.

The award for ‘Kindness in helping others’ went to Mitchell Ryan from Thurmaston.  Mitchell helped an elderly man who had just been burgled.  He stayed with the man until the police arrived and spent time talking to him and calming him down.  He provided a statement to the police and helped identify the offenders, resulting in them being charged.  The offenders are known to be responsible for many distraction burglaries across the midlands region.

Mitchell was presented with a laptop.

The award for ‘Improving the Community’ went to Duncan Greene from Melton Mowbray.   Duncan has spent two years creating a skate park in the town.  He has been involved in fundraising and secured funding for the project through the Leicestershire Youth Council.  

Duncan has also designed, maintained, improved and updated the Melton Skaters website enabling others to express their views and ideas online.  He has worked alongside the borough council and the company designing and building the park as well as consulting local residents on how the park should be built.

Duncan was presented with a laptop.

The Award for being ‘A voice for young people’ went to Chloe Magorian from Leicester. Chloe attends Sir Jonathan North Community College in the City and is a member of the School Council.  She is a reporter for the Children’s Rights Newsletter in the city.  Chloe chaired a question and answer session at a conference attended by the Children’s Commissioner for England.  She is also a member of the Young People’s Panel for Leicester City Youth Opportunity and Capital Funds.  Chloe is an active member of a committee, which has awarded nearly £500,000 to 43 young people’s projects in the City.

Chloe was presented with a digital camcorder.

Nominated in the Bravery category were Abbi Morrall and Samantha Valentine.

Nominated in the Kindness in Helping Others category were Kimberley Cooper and Leighton Russell.

Nominated in the Improving the Community category were Leanne Baylis and Callum Freeman.

Nominated in the Voice for Young People category were Amy Hewitt and Rithee Pandya.

The runners-up all recieved iPod Nano’s.

These awards were supported by Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, Leicester Shire Economic Partnership, Leicestershire Constabulary and Crimebeat.