A story to warm your hearts as Sunderland's most outstanding youngsters win awards
Just outstanding. That’s these Sunderland youngsters who have won awards for their incredibly courageous stories.
The Sunderland Young Achievers' Awards winners had incredibly inspirational stories to tell.
Sandhill View Deaf Resource Group were overall winners for improving understanding of deafness in their school.
The pupils were hailed as 'thoughtful, courageous and inspiring young ambassadors' who had 'overcome isolation, challenged misconceptions and supported one another.'
There were just as many moving stories among the other winners.
Daisy May Knight, winner of the Youth Voice Award, lost her brother and set up the Siblings of Stars, a bereavement support group for children who lose a brother or sister and often feel overlooked.
Oliver Hughes, winner of the Music Award, turned to drumming as his outlet when his dad was diagnosed with heart failure.
He joined music venue, The Bunker, and threw himself into his craft, balancing his caring responsibilities with practising every day at home, often before and after school, and attending sessions.
Lola Mae Stephenson is the Young Health and Wellbeing Champion is an ambassador for three charities – 4Louis, Melanoma Me Foundation and Sunderland Soup Kitchen.
She raised thousands of pounds and created sleeping bags, ground sheets and hygiene packs for people experiencing homelessness. She also made bereavement boxes for families facing the loss of a child.
Cllr Michael Butler, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Child Poverty and Skills at Sunderland City Council, said he was ‘truly proud to come from a city with so many kind, caring, talented and exceptional individuals - young people who already act as role models for others and who we know will be the future leaders of our city.”
The awards at the Fire Station, were presented by Simon Marshall, Director of Children's Services at Sunderland City Council, who is also Chief Executive of Together for Children.
He said: "Every story we have celebrated at this year's awards reflects not only individual achievement, but the strength of our communities, our families, our schools, and the supportive networks that help our young people thrive."
The awards are sponsored by Gentoo, the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Culture House, Northern Academy of Music Education, Sunderland Carers Centre, Sunderland Safeguarding Children Partnership, Hopespring, Everyone Active, Sunderland City Council's Public Health team and Sustainability Team and Sunderland College.
The full winners list was:
Overall winner and Bringing Communities Together Award: Sandhill View Deaf Resource Group;
Bringing Communities Together Award: Highly Commended: Good Vibes Project;
Youth Voice Award: Daisy May Knight. Highly commended: Trinity Academy Stars;
Music Award: Oliver Hughes. Highly commended: Lucy Duggan;
Young Health and Wellbeing Champion: Lola Mae Stephenson. Highly commended: Jake Taylor;
Arts and Culture Award: Monica Maven. Highly Commended: Anna Summerill;
Sport and Physical Activity Award: Millie Hixon. Highly commended: Kara Ward;
Achievement in Learning Award: Chloe Jukes. Highly commended: Michael Hornsby;
Young Carer Award: Charlotte Stewart. Highly Commended: Jasmine Robinson. Special recognition: Eva Grace Lee;
Young Environmental Champion Award: Zac Leonard. Highly commended: Emili Kristopaitis;
Personal Growth Award: Ruby Stothard. Highly commended: Josh Bute;
Young Mental Health Champion Award: Charlotte Williams. Highly commended: Cerys Rose Kirsop.