Courageous and selfless youngsters praised at Arun awards

About 57 youngsters, aged between 11 and 19, had been nominated for awards in three categories – voluntary work, charity work and acts of bravery – with the winners announced during the ceremony, at the Windmill Entertainment Centre, Littlehampton.

The event, which was organised by Inspire Leisure, with the assistance of Arun District Council and the Arun Youth Council, was attended by almost 200 people, cheering on the nominees – with Barnham’s brave Tyler Murphy, proving to be the star of the show.

Tyler, 14, was crowned as this year’s overall winner, after his harrowing battle against cancer won over the hearts of the judges.

For about two years, Tyler has been valiantly battling against the after-effects of a life-threatening brain tumour, following his diagnosis with the condition, in February, 2010.

His mum Janice, who nominated him, said that he went for what the family believed would be a routine hospital appointment, at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, after he fell ill.

However, the visit soon turned into a nightmare after doctors at the hospital discovered his tumour.

She said: “Tyler was rushed to Southampton Hospital, where he underwent life-saving surgery.

“This left him with visual, mobility and severe nausea issues. When he first came out of hospital he had to use a wheelchair.”

Janice added: “Tyler underwent five operations prior to being discharged. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get rid of the entire tumour and Tyler had to go back into hospital for further surgery. This affected his eyesight even further.”

Although months on from the original operation, the determined teenager still has to face three further procedures, later this year, to correct his eyesight – something which hasn’t slowed him down, said Janice.

Chairman of the Arun Youth Council, Alex Harman, said Tyler’s story was particularly poignant.

He said: “Tyler’s story was one of the most courageous I had the pleasure to read.

“I think it’s brilliant how the community youth awards proves just how many brave, young people Arun has and kicks aside the ‘hooded-teen’ stereotype.”

Littlehampton’s Bradley Squire, 16, won the Littlehampton Rotary Club Award for his years of kindness and dedication to volunteer work with young people at the Wick-based youth club, Project 82.

Kind-hearted 18-year-old Kingsley Jephson, also from Littlehampton, was runner-up in the 17-19-year-old category, after he was nominated for his “invaluable” volunteer work with the Arun Dolphins Swimming Club for the Disabled, at the Littlehampton Swimming and Sports Centre.

Martine Evans, 12, of Bognor, won the 12-13 category, for her volunteer work with her former primary school, with Barnham’s Amici Christi Christian choir, from St Philip Howard Catholic High School, clinching the runner-up spot.

Claire Bourner, of Bognor, won the 17-19 age group, after dedicating hours of her time volunteering with a number of groups in the area, including the Phoenix Youth Service and various Scouts and Beaver units in the district.

Arun District Council’s chairman, Dennis Wilde, was the guest of honour during the evening, and congratulated all the young people nominated, adding that they were a credit to Arun.