Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland is pleased to announce the remarkable young people who have been recognised in the annual Rotary Young Citizen Awards.
The awards recognise those under the age of 25 who have made a difference to their local community and have shown an outstanding contribution to a worthwhile cause. This year Rotary has recognised five youngsters, as well as awarding a group award to a school Interact club. This year the judges also awarded a special recognition posthumously for a fundraiser who tragically passed away in 2015.
Each recipient was celebrated for his or her positive citizenship and Rotary clubs across Great Britain and Ireland nominated the following winners:
Anna Swabey, aged 24, nominated by the Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe
Anna was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2015 and she was determined to help others by supporting people with the condition by raising awareness, and fundraising to enable more research into the cause of brain cancers. So far Anna has raised ÂŁ36,500 for Brain Tumour Research.
Madison Glinski, aged 11, nominated by the Rotary Club of St Ives
When reading in the local newspaper that a funeral fund for a young person had been stolen, Madison was moved to do something to help. She decided to busk with her violin to raise money for terminally ill children, and has since raised ÂŁ52,000 for a local hospice.
Bailey Sloan, aged 8, nominated by the Rotary Club of Barry
Eight-year-old Bailey has been diagnosed with ADHD, PDAS autism and Sensory Perception Disorder. He has turned his life around after deciding to embark on carrying out 100 random acts of kindness around his hometown to help brighten people’s day.
Owen Thurston, aged 17, nominated by the Rotary Club of Oxted and Limpsfield
Owen, who suffers from epilepsy, has been campaigning to raise awareness of the condition since an early age. He has set up and run Purple Parties to help raise money and recognition for Young Epilepsy, which has supported Owen since he was diagnosed in 2004.
Samantha Kinghorn, aged 20, nominated by the Rotary Club of Duns
New to this year the Rotary Young Citizen Wheelchair Sports Award, in conjunction with WheelPower, was given to Samantha who, after a tragic accident in which she was left paralysed from the waist down, took up wheelchair racing. She has recently qualified to represent Great Britain at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this summer.
Tiverton High School Interact Club, nominated by the Rotary Club of Tiverton
This year’s group award goes to Tiverton High School’s Interact Club, which has helped raised thousands of pounds for causes at home and overseas. The club is made up of 50 students aged 12-16, and holds novel fundraising events including shows such as “Teachers got Talent” and “I’m a Teacher Get me Out of Here”.
Finally, this year a posthumous award has been awarded to Rebecca Dalgleish’s family, after the 18-year-old sadly passed away last year. Rebecca suffered from a Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour, and during her last few months she raised as much money as possible for the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).
Eve Conway, Vice President of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland, commented: “These young people have gone to great lengths to help others in need whilst going through hardship themselves. They are hugely inspiring young people who go above and beyond to make a real difference to the lives of others.
“The winners all encompass Rotary values and with these awards being in its 10th year we’re always astonished by the work these young people do. We wish them all the very best of luck for the future and I’m sure they will continue to build on their successes.”
The recipients will receive their awards at Rotary’s Annual Conference in Bournemouth, which will be covered by the BBC – click here to watch the report (available until 3rd May 2016).
Published: 29th March 2016
