Arun’s caring youngster shine at awards night

SELFLESS and kindhearted young people from across the district stepped into the limelight at the annual Arun Youth Community Awards.
Youngsters at the Arun Youth Community Awards, in LittlehamptonYoungsters at the Arun Youth Community Awards, in Littlehampton
Youngsters at the Arun Youth Community Awards, in Littlehampton

Almost 40 of Arun’s most courageous and dedicated youngsters, aged between 11 and 19, had been nominated for this year’s ceremony, either for their commitment to voluntary work, charity work or acts of bravery, and the winners were announced during the event, at the Windmill Entertainment Centre, in Littlehampton, on Thursday (March 14).

The evening, organised by Inspire Leisure, with the assistance of Arun District Council and the Arun Youth Council, was attended by more than 150 people, who cheered on the nominees – with Littlehampton’s Ashley Macey proving to be the star of the show.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ashley, 15, who studies at The Littlehampton Academy, was crowned as the overall winner, after her commitment and passion to helping others less fortunate than herself won over the hearts of the judges.

The teenager, who was nominated by the academy’s chaplain Paul Sanderson, had worked tirelessly to fund her trip overseas to India, in October, last year, to brighten the lives of impoverished children in one of the country’s poorest regions.

In Paul’s nomination, he described Ashley as a “bright” and “caring” girl with a passion to teach.

He said: “Ashley is incredible. She inspired others on the team with her energy and enthusiasm. And she came away having helped improve the ability of the students she taught as well as developed herself even more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She is a natural leader and has shown this by being part of the volunteer sports leadership team working in primary schools across Littlehampton.”

Another academy student, Ellen Thomas, won the 17-19-year-old category, for her “vast amount of volunteer work”. Ellen, who is president of the academy’s college, raised more than £3,400 to fund her two trips abroad, to help disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka. She has also organised a number of fund-raisers at the college.

Littlehampton’s Aaron Neale, 13, won the 11-13-year-old category for his enthusiasm and dedication for his volunteer work with young people at the Wick-based youth club, Project 82, in spite of facing his own family tragedies – losing his mother on New Year’s Eve, 2011, and his grandmother, only a few months ago.

As well as supporting those at the youth club, Aaron has played a pivotal role in helping comfort his two younger brothers, aged seven and eight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Runner-up Ashley Lamb, now 17, was pipped by the overall winner to the 14-16-year-old category. He regularly volunteers with Littlehampton charity, Raydar, in Evans Garden.

Project 82 was the runner-up in the group section, being beaten by The Regis School Rights Respecting Schools Ambassadors, based in Bognor Regis.

Related topics: