Honouring the young people triumphing against adversity
THE successes of young people in difficult circumstances have been recognised at the BridgeFM Young Achiever Awards.
Held at the Best Western Heronston Hotel the awards, run in conjunction with Bridgend College, recognised achievements in 12 categories.
BridgeFM sales director, Craig Thomas, said: “The event was a great success, 13 young people were called up on stage to receive their awards. Each individual was inspirational for different reasons.
“It was great to be able to shine the spotlight on such young positive people”.
Viv Buckley, deputy principal of Bridgend College, said: “Bridgend College was very proud to be the main sponsors of such a fantastic event. As a college, we champion achievement and overcoming challenges and celebrate diversity. The barriers many of the award winners had to overcome are nothing short of incredible. We were privileged to meet and recognise so many inspirational young people”. The winners were: Outstanding Academic Progress (with Apollo Teaching Services) – Liam Evans, 13, from Brackla, Bridgend.
He’s a pupil at Archbishop McGrath School where, despite suffering from ASD and dyslexia, he has made significant progress, including designing his own computer game;
Outstanding Academic Achievement (Graham Paul Accountants) – Ioan Lloyd, 17, from Ysgol Gyfun Llangynwyd.
He got 13 A* grades in his GCSEs;
Young Carer Award (G4S Parc Supporting Families) – Charley Evans, 12, who gets up at 6am every day to help out around the house and cares for her mum, who has Multiple Sclerosis;
Young Community Group (ACD Recycling Brynmenyn) – Step by Step Dance Group, Bettws, who have thrived despite their losing their rehearsal hall and having to change venues;
Young Sports Person Award (Inscapes) – Grace Morgan, 17, a member of Bridgend Swim Squad and Rest Bay Lifeguard Club.
She is a five times British champion, which includes her specialist sea swim event. In September she won her first GB youth cap. She’s currently the European Champion in the ‘Taplin Ocean Relay’ event;
Child Award of Courage (McDonald’s Pencoed) – Mali Tallis , five, from Broadlands, Bridgend.
She was nominated by dad Steve for the courage she has shown after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and a rare condition called Langerhans Cell Hystio-cytosis. This is a condition that affects bones and organs.
Steve said: “She is a true inspiration to us all and is such a little star. The chemo and steroids she’s receiving have bad side effects. Despite this, she has a determination to carry on as normal. She lets nothing get in her way of being a normal little girl.”
Young Entrepreneur Award (The Little Black Sheep Pottery) – Scott Ewing and Kristian Stark.
They have founded a company called: GadgeIT and developed a remarkable invention they call TAB-it, which creates the musical notations for new music played on a guitar - ideal for people who can’t write music;
Young Apprentice Award (Nemein) – Alice Slennett – achieved her Business Administration NVQ Diploma level 3 in just 8 months!
Young Volunteer Award (Synergy Achievements) – Isobel Smith, 17. North Cornelly. Actively involved with a number of groups and with Christmas drawing, she is volunteering to arrange the Christmas Nativity and Church Christmas meal which is open to all members of the local community to attend;
Performing Arts and Music Award (Youth Cymru) – Elinor Williams, from Porthcawl.
Her many musical achievements include performing in several shows and events both locally and in London.
This year in the Urdd Eisteddfod she won second place in the musical theatre solo and was the main character in the Youth Show there too. In August she played Tracey in Hairspray at the Arts Depot Theatre in Finchley.
She has also performed in numerous other musicals with Stagecoach at various theatres in London’s West End;
Young Fundraiser Award (Frankie’s Desserts) – The students of Bridgend Military Preparation College, who have raised more than £8,000 for various local charities.
To raise such an amazing amount of money they set themselves some tough challenges including two half marathons, a 24-hour long run and a gruelling 50k challenge where they had to run 10 kilometres every day for five days;
Outstanding Bravery Award (Seasons Christmas Outlet) – Georgia Sinclair.
She has suffered with epilepsy from a young age, experiencing up to 30 fits per day. This summer she underwent brain surgery, which had left the lefthand side of her body with stroke-like symptoms.
She is now back in college to study health and social care. When she found out she’d won this award she said: “I just want to get better and live a normal life.”