The Herald honours Plymouth's young people
YOUNG people from all walks of city life were honoured at The Herald's Youth Awards 2009 last night.
More than 300 people were at City College to toast the most deserving and community- minded youths in the city.
These were the fourth Youth Awards organised by The Herald, and the main sponsors were City College Plymouth and Plymouth City Council.
Junk percussion band Weapons Of Sound started the party with a bang before 12 awards were given out to individuals and groups.
Abi Richardson, 14, from Higher St Budeaux, scooped The Herald Young Hero Award. Abi, who goes to Notre Dame School, has recovered after undergoing a liver transplant which saved her life, but it wasn't her bravery that earned her the award; it was her work this year to encourage others to sign up to the organ donor register to help those who might not be as lucky as she was.
"I'm very happy to win the award because I don't do what I do for myself," she said. "My teacher, Mrs Smith, nominated me so she will be happy!"
Jordan Anderton, 16, from Ivybridge, took the Fundraising Project of the Year Award after beating a rare form of cancer and raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity over the past year so other teenagers can fight the disease. "I'm very proud to win," he said. "It's been tough but I've met some amazing people and I'm going to put this award proudly in my lounge now!"
The awards were a key part of this week's Plymouth Enterprise Week celebrations. Goodie bags were given out at the event containing items donated by Trago Mills, Tenpin, UCP Marjon and City College.
Lord Mayor Cllr Ken Foster called the ceremony 'exceptional' and The Herald's editor Bill Martin, who hosted the evening with city model Mecia Simson, said: "The young people involved in the whole event were inspirational."
10 Comments
by Annie, G & the Bude Crew, Bude
Monday, November 23 2009, 7:40AM
“Congratulations to all the young people who have done so well and a big congratulations to Jordan from the Bude Crew.”
by Brian, Midlands
Sunday, November 22 2009, 1:16PM
“To congratulate these fine young people is a nice gesture.
To hope that a young person does not get an award is vindictive, whatever spin you put on it.”
by sarah pope, Plymouth
Saturday, November 21 2009, 12:52AM
“A big thankyou for a wonderful evening! I am so proud of St Paul's Gardening club. Well done to all the nominees!”
by savannah, plymouth
Friday, November 20 2009, 8:27PM
“great night it was nice to be appreciated from savannah, holly and biba the fiarie girls!”
by Yvette Yabsley, Plymouth
Friday, November 20 2009, 7:12PM
“Huge congratulations to the girls of DHSG who won the Young Enterprise Journalism Award last night...good on you girls. We're all very proud of you all!”
by Mama Jean, Brackley
Friday, November 20 2009, 4:50PM
“Congratulations Jordan, the whole family are very very proud of you”
by Nick Bull, plymouth
Friday, November 20 2009, 9:41AM
“Congratulations to the Rainbows group St Budeaux for being in the running”
by Claire Holmes, Southampton
Friday, November 20 2009, 9:37AM
“Congratulations to Abi Richardson. A well deserved win for her tireless campaigning. A true *star* and an inspiration to us all.
Well done Abi xxxx”
by Pauline Holmes, Southampton
Friday, November 20 2009, 9:36AM
“Congratulations to Abi Richardson for winning The Young Hero award. A truely remarkable young girl with a big future in front of her. Giving back something for the benefit of others. "Because your Worth it".”
by Me, Here
Friday, November 20 2009, 7:55AM
“Why have the twelve not all been named. Congratulations to all. I do hope that Master D wasn't given an award.Its nice to see them going to genuine hard working youngsters achieving things through adversity”