BRAVERY, commitment and success demonstrated by exceptional young people were honoured at an awards ceremony.
Tots and teens who have triumphed over adversity, shown kindness or demonstrated a keen talent took to the stage at the annual Derbyshire Young Achievers Awards.
And there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as they were presented with their plaudits by Strictly Come Dancing star and ex-footballer Robbie Savage.
Among the young winners was Andrew Davis, 14, who was nominated for his bravery while undergoing gruelling treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Andrew, a student at Lady Manners School, is raising money for the children’s hospital charity with the help of hundreds of online supporters. The sports fan, who is from Chesterfield, met his cricket hero Michael Vaughan during chemotherapy and was described as ‘inspiring to all who meet him’.
There were many touching stories of courage and kindness at the awards on Friday.
Volunteer Megan Ellis, of Hathersage, was also honoured for helping her local air ambulance charity shop and starting a baking social enterprise to raise cash.
The 15-year-old writes regularly to local people asking for donations and has taken responsibility for the shop’s children’s book section.
Her teacher, Alison Scorer, from Hope Valley College, said Megan’s determination to overcome her own difficulties and help other people was inspiring and ‘her genuine caring nature touches people’s hearts’.
Robbie Savage handed out the awards to 95 young people at the emotional ceremony in Matlock’s Highfields School.
Derbyshire County Council leader Andrew Lewer thanked sponsors of the 14th annual event. He added: “We know that young people have a lot to give.
“The majority of young people are doing good things in our schools, homes and communities.
“Unfortunately we do not get to hear enough about them - which is why we think it is important to recognise the outstanding achievements of these incredible young people.”
The awards, now in their 14th year, were set up to highlight outstanding personal achievements of young people across the county.
Every young person was nominated because they had shown bravery, such as fighting an illness or living with a disability, kindness in helping others, or a commitment to improving their school, community or local environment.
Those who have achieved success in sports, music, art and academically – with some youngsters already ranked at the top of their game – were also able to shine.
Sponsors of the event included Henry Boot Developments, Faithful and Gould, Tomlinson Building, The Osborne Group, Danubius Hotels Group, Istead, Hassop Hall Hotel, High Peak Radio, Whittington Moor Printing Works, TMUK Charitable Trust and Sainsbury’s.
Winners of young achievers awards
* Taylor Ritchie, 12, Dronfield
* Thomas Hardwick, 12, Chesterfield
* Rhian Crotty, 10, Chesterfield
* Olivia Gill,11, Mosborough
* Millie Wilkinson, 10, Dronfield
* Kelly Green, 16, Eckington
* Kelsie Geary, 11, Clay Cross
* Joseph Walker, 12, Bolsover
* Jessica Bown,16, Chesterfield
* Dylan Holland, 13, and Katelon Foreman, 11, Shirebrook
* Charlie Boyer-White, 8, Shirebrook
* Chealsei Wells, 12, Shirebrook
* Ava Sabin, six, Clowne
* Ben Murray,11, Wingerworth
* Bethany Potte, 14, Wingerworth
* Alexander Greveson, 16, Whitwell
* Alicia Barrett,14, Chesterfield
* Alicia Hill,17, Chesterfield
* Adam Stewart, 16, Chesterfield
* Addison Kneale, seven, Chesterfield
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