Member Article

Young people in Tyne & Wear "Highly" praised

The High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear, Mrs. Lucy Winskell OBE DL celebrated the end of the High Sheriff Shrieval year with a celebratory awards evening at the Centre for Life. Over £38,000 was awarded to 62 organisations with Inspiring Events CIC receiving the top award of £2,500.

Fabulous Flournoy, player and the head coach for the Newcastle Eagles basketball team, got the event off to a flying start with an inspirational speech about young people can achieve great things with the help of volunteers who believe in them. The High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear Awards, at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, aims to recognise and reward organisations which support children and young people in a safe and secure environment to develop confidence, build skills, find fun and friendship and learn to be part of their community.

During the presentation 54 awards of £530 were awarded to groups across the region including Stepney Bank Stables and Eighton Banks Village Hall Youth Club in Newcastle and Gateshead, Wallsend Mini Soccer Project and Hindu Nari Sangh in North and South Tyneside, and Box Youth Project in Sunderland. Five awards of £1,000 were awarded to the Patchwork Project in Newcastle, Ocean Youth Trust in North Shields, Escape Intervention Services in South Shield, and Boldon Youth & Community Project and Sunderland Samba FC in Sunderland.

The top award of £2,500 was awarded to Inspiring Events CIC, with Skimstone Arts, who performed at the awards with their band “Reality Boots”, receiving £1,750 as the runner up. Mr John Holmes of the South Tyneside Football Trust received an award of £250 as the Roger Spoor Unsung Hero, which recognises the work of volunteers.

David Winship, Director of Inspiring Events said:

“We’re absolutely buzzing to win the top award of £2,500. It’s brilliant to be recognised by the High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear for our work with young people with autism. Based in Bamburgh House and a part of the New Bridge arts scene, we give young people with autism the tools to harness their creative side and think about a career in the arts. It can be a long journey but the development and transition is huge and we’re delighted that the High Sheriff believes in our young people and is able to support us to do more inspiring work.”

The High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear, Mrs Lucy Winskell OBE DL said:

“The High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear Awards is a chance to recognise the work of children and young people in our community who are doing fantastic things. I would like to congratulate all 62 award winners and ask them to continue the good work that they are doing to help provide opportunity for young people in our region.

“To award over £38,000 is a fantastic achievement and I’d like to thank all of the donors to the High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear Fund during my Shrieval year. This kindness and generosity allows us to make a difference to the lives of young people, whilst giving community and volunteer groups the recognition that they deserve.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adam Lopardo .