Yorkshire’s young achievers who made it against the odds

The Prince’s Trust and Samsung Celebrate Success Awards honoured young people who have succeeded against the odds, improved their chances in life and had a positive impact on their local community.

Lucy Hornsby, head of philanthropy at The Prince’s Trust for the North of England, said the awards were “absolutely imperative” as the majority of nominees wouldn’t have received any recognition before.

Ms Hornsby told The Yorkshire Post: “This is an opportunity for them to feel really special and for them to shine as well.”

She added: “The message to all nominees is congratulations for getting where you are today. Be really, really proud of yourselves. You’re all role models, you’re all an inspiration to everybody for the journey that you’ve travelled and how you’ve turned your lives around. Be proud of that.”

Ms Hornsby said that it was “inspiring” watching young people turn their lives around.

“Sometimes it’s just the smallest things. A young person being able to walk into a room and make conversation or actually make eye contact with you. It’s incredible.

“It’s something that a lot of people take for granted. But for us watching a young person move into employment, go back to school, taking on other training or doing some volunteering is fantastic.”

In total 19 young people had been shortlisted at the Celebrate Success Awards, with winners in seven different categories. Chantelle Gautier was awarded the Young Ambassador of the Year award, given to role models who look to inspire others through personal experience of turning their own lives around.

Connor Burgess was named Educational Achiever of the Year. When he was eight years of age Mr Burgess was excluded from mainstream school.

At the age of 14, he became a young carer for his severely disabled brother and also started attending the xl programme, an initiative from The Prince’s Trust that improves the confidence and skills of young people who are struggling at school.

He said: “I couldn’t be bothered with school before, but the xl programme helped me see what I am good at and showed me how to apply that to my school work and eventually my career. It gave me ambition and now I’m going to college.”

The Breakthrough Award went to Liam Watson, who suffered from depression after his granddad and father passed away but turned his life around.

He said: “It gave me the spark I needed to move forward with my life. It helped me learn not to put myself down and to believe in myself instead.”

Khaleel Ahmed was named this year’s Rising Star, while Eyan Maloney took home the Natwest Enterprise Award, at the ceremony at Leeds Grand Theatre.

The Community Impact Award went to Carlton Bolling College, where a group of eight 15 year-olds, built a replica Tea Hut to commemorate the YMCA’s involvement in World War One.

Jennifer Fairbanks was crowned Samsung Young Achiever of the Year. Thanks to the charity, Ms Fairbanks is on her way to starting an Access to Nursing course.

Jonathan Townsend, regional director for the North of England at The Prince’s Trust, said the award series “highlights some of the incredible achievements and journeys travelled by young people in our region”.

He said: “We’ve heard some really inspiring stories from young people who have all been on extremely challenging journeys.”

The Yorkshire Post is a media partner for this year’s awards. Nicola Furbisher, managing editor of The Yorkshire Post, praised the work of the charity. Winners will be shortlisted for the national final in March 2016.