19 November 2009
Everyone is a Winner...
Students from Luton VIth form College who went out with The Great Generation in 2009 - calling themselves 'Heroes of Uganda' win an award at the Young People of the Year awards ceremony on Sunday.
Every young person here is a winner today – no truer a statement was made by one of the judges at the Bedfordshire Police and Fire Service Young People of the Year awards ceremony on Sunday.A sense of anticipation and excitement filled the Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey young finalists, their parents and supporters mingled with dignitaries before the start of what has become a very prestigious ceremony – to celebrate the incredible work young Bedfordshire people who are positive role models and ‘give to others’.
Nearly 40 young people representing 10 fantastic finalists as some were group entries came to enjoy the ambience at the beautiful location as well as to compete for the top prize of £1000 in the fourth YOPEY in Bedfordshire, which had £2000 to give away to amazing young role models. All winners are expected to donate half their winnings to a worthy cause of their choice, but are encourage to treat themselves with the rest.
Seventeen-year-old Saskia Bewley, a representative of one of the finalists, Luton sixth Form College’s Heroes of Uganda, summed up how most of the young finalists were probably feeling that evening: “I’m feeling nervous, but it is really lovely here tonight,” she said. “We were lucky to be nominated and will be very surprised to win anything. We are looking forward to the presentation.”
Winner of last year’s Bedfordshire YOPEY, Sabath Shazia, was also present at the ceremony as a Youth Judge. The 19-year-old from Luton commented: “There were so many great entries to this year’s competition and it was difficult to choose. All the finalists were put to us and it was very hard to choose the best one.”
The evening began with founder of YOPEY, former national newspaper journalist Tony Gearing, taking to the stage alongside his vice-president Mike Green. Tony explained to the 200 guests his aim in setting up YOPEY five years ago. He said: “The goal of YOPEY is simple – we aim to put these fantastic young people in the media spotlight – by telling their amazing stories. Then they will become true positive role models for other young people to emulate.”
Tony Rodgers, Northern Area Commander of Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, presented the joint award for third place – each with a cash prize of £250. He echoed the thoughts of his fellow sponsors and judges when he said: “We are proud to sponsor this award. These young people have made outstanding achievements and they are outstanding young people.”
Then to a huge round of applause he presented the first of his two awards to Heroes of Uganda – a group of 11 sixth-formers who raised £18,000 to go to Africa and help children dying of AIDS. Working alongside carers in a home in a Ugandan city the young people built the infected young people a playground as well as a garden which would provide vegetables to sell and eat.
Tony presented his second award to Heroes of Meadow Way – a group of young men who had been previously been written off by their local schools in Leighton Buzzard. The remarkable group of the 13 young men, aged 16-19, volunteered hours of their time to refurbish a run-down community centre in Leighton Buzzard. Their work was appreciated so much that all the young men have been named on a brass plaque on the finished building.
Before Chief Superintendent Andy Street of Bedfordshire Police, presented the second-place award he let out a shout of “Wow! Isn’t this brilliant!” Then, more calmly, he went on to explain: “It’s great to see so many young people do things for others and we should support them all. Each young person here deserves input and respect from us. Every young person here today is a winner.”
He presented £250 Girl Guiding visionary Sarah Hunt for her ambition to ‘bring the Girl Guides in to the 21st century’. The 21-year-old from Luton is the guides youngest ever District Commissioner in Bedfordshire, in charge of 10 groups across south Luton with around 200 girls. She wants to change the outdated image of the Guides and encourage more young girls from all cultures and backgrounds to join.
Sarah said: “I was so shocked to win the prize because I thought there were other people more deserving than me. I am so happy because I do what I do for the Guides without thinking about it and it’s great to be recognised. I will be donating half my prize to the Guides so we can do more for our centenary celebrations this year.”
Lovely young man Harry Brindle, from Bedford, won the YOPEY Junior Prize for mentoring pupils at his school while helping to care for him mum, who was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. The 13-year-old – who was presented with the award by High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Cynthia Gresham – was nominated for the amazing way he has dealt with his mother’s illness, while spending hours of his own time preparing and giving lessons on English, maths and science to younger students. He hopes to spend his share of the £500 prize to buy a top of the range iPod.
Harry said: “I’m happy and surprised to win anything! I was the youngest finalist there and I didn’t expect to prize. It was an amazing experience but it hasn’t sunk in yet.”
The Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Samuel C Whitbread, had the pleasure of presenting the award to the overall winner, which came with the top cash prize of £1000. Before he opened the envelope to reveal the winner, he said: “From what we have seen today, the future of Bedfordshire is indeed in safe hands. So let’s have fewer yobs and more YOPEYs!”
Twenty-one-year-old DJ Danny Kiteley from Arlesley scooped the top prize for giving his time for free to innovative music schemes to divert young people from anti-social behaviour. Music is his passion and he believes he can help other young people through it. He runs DJ and MC evenings which are open to young people aged 15-19. Danny encourages young people to take part and learn new skills as well as listen to the music.
Danny was so elated he gave several people a hug – including the Lord Lieutenant, who represents the Queen and was dressed in his court costume.
He said: “I’m so made up. This is fantastic.”
One of the judges said of Danny: “Using music to divert young people from antisocial behaviour is a gift.”
Special news was announced towards the end of the evening. Overwhelmed with all the amazing work the finalists had done – and thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, including Luton Airport, Kip McGrath Bedford, and Moto Toddington - the judges rewarded all runners-up with £50 to donate towards their good causes so no-one left empty handed. And the Woburn Enterprises gave all the finalists free tickets to visit Woburn Safari Park.
YOPEY founder Tony Gearing, who held one of the first YOPEYs in Luton three years ago and has held 31 in total, mainly across the East of England, said: “The diverse people from so many different backgrounds across Beds, the fantastic venue and amazing atmosphere made this one of our best YOPEYs yet.
“The young finalists have started to talk about meeting up again to plan their own cross-cultural event. As one of them said: “Individually we have all done fantastic stuff. Imagine what we can do if we get together!”
