Photograph: RIBI Young Citizens in Dublin. Picture by Andy Cameron.
The achievements of young people are being celebrated as the winners of the Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) Young Citizen Awards are revealed.
RIBI Young Citizen is a project organised every year by Rotary, in association with the BBC News Channel, to celebrate the positive citizenship and vital responsibilities assumed by many young people.
Clitheroe Youth Forum in Lancashire took on a mission to create a Roll of Honour for local people who fell in WWII. They even managed to obtain medals for the survivors who had been missed out by the Ministry of Defence. The forum is made up of youngsters who were looking for something constructive to do and came together in 1998. Since then, it has turned young lives around in the Ribble Valley area. Rotary Club of Ribblesdale is sponsoring the youngsters. Watch their story unfold in this special BBC News feature.
17 year old Studheart ‘Sumo’ Charles from Harrow, London, was nominated by Rotary Club of Edgware and Stanmore. A truant and on his way to being a career criminal, Sumo’s life turned around with the birth of his son and getting involved with mentoring. As well as transforming his own life, he has inspired other youngsters to regain control and make positive choices.
Joe Keir is no ordinary 17 year old. The teen from Bedfordshire started and still runs a youth cafe. He is also involved with the Youth Parliament, plans to open two more cafes and works with the local Beaver group. Joe is also a keen environmentalist and is going to Borneo on a conservation mission. He has been nominated by the Rotary Club of Biggleswade Ivel .
Holly Watson launched a determined campaign to rid Suffolk of knife crime after her brother, Lewis, was fatally stabbed. By working with the local constabulary, speaking on BBC radio, approaching schools, launching a website and fronting an advertising campaign, Holly has made sure that young people throughout the area understand why knife crime has to end. Holly has been nominated by the Rotary Club of Sudbury Talbot. View the BBC News Channel feature about Holly and her hard work here.
For 19 year old Ceri Cockram from Gloucestershire, a gap year turned into a lifetime commitment. Ceri became involved with Maltiti First Steps which helps young girls and women to receive education and vocational training in Ghana. She has raised £20,000 and frequently goes back to the villages to offer more help. The Rotary Club of Dursley has nominated her. Ceri’s story can be watched here.
A special posthumous award is being given to Stephen Young’s family from Kent. Stephen was a dynamic youngster with apassion for mountain climbing and helping his local community. A 100 day camping challenge turned into 365 days under canvas, raising over ten thousand of pounds for Demelza House Hospice. Stephen sadly lost his life during a hiking expedition in Scotland last year. His nomination is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Maidstone Riverside.
The winners were brought to Dublin for the RIBI Conference where they received a trophy, a cash donation of £500 to their project and will enjoy a visit to the BBC News studios later this year.
