Search is on to find region’s brave youngsters

The Yorkshire Children of Courage Awards will honour the region’s finest young people at The Royal Armouries in Leeds in October, and the search for this year’s stars was launched in style at the Headingley Experience on Monday.

Legendary children’s entertainers, and award ambassadors, The Chuckle Brothers, led the entertainment, which included a performance by Horsforth singer Bethany Hare, who won an award in recognition of her charity fundraising,

The awards, now in its fourth year, was set up by the St James’s Place Foundation, the charitable arm of the St James’s Place wealth management company.

Since it began 22 years ago, the foundation has raised more than £34m which it has distributed to good causes which support disadvantaged and disabled young people. For the first time, the awards will also recognise a group that has made a difference to the lives if young people, which is open to public vote.

Mark Longbottom, head of the foundation said: “The awards not only provide vital funds so we can help more and more young people, it also does a great job of honouring a number of the courageous young people from across region whose passion for life is an inspiration.”

Hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern, the awards have been strongly supported by the region’s business community, including main sponsors Arrow Cars,

The Yorkshire Post is the media partner of the event, Managing editor Nicola Furbisher said: “Hearing the stories of past winners puts all small problems in perspective. We are delighted to be involved and urge our readers to support it by nominating worthy children for an award.”

Information on how to nominate, and to buy tickets for the event, can be found at www.yorkshirechildren.co.uk