Sudents described as 'truly inspirational'

Group Award for Voluntary Work was won by Paddock School Metropolitan class. The class work in the school café where they prepare and cook soup and make sandwiches for sale.

The award were presented by outgoing mayor Cllr Stuart Thom. He said:
“It was truly inspirational to meet these young people and hear their stories. It’s heartening to know that the next generation of citizens of our borough are so talented, motivated and determined to succeed. I wish them all good luck with whatever they achieve in the future.”

Paddock School Cafe is found at Paddock School on Priory Lane - the café is open during term times on Wednesday mornings from 10 -12 for morning coffee and Thursdays from 10 -2 when you can also have lunch; home- made soup and sandwiches.

The award was one of six award including Young Person of the Year which was won by Mahnoor Rauf helped establish a girls’ football project at the TRC Youth Club. She researched and presented a bid for funding to the Youth Opportunity Fund to cover the cost of equipment and running expenses and went on to captain the TRC Football Club Under 16 Girls.

Mahnoor (pictured left) has helped other young people, some with disabilities and learning difficulties, to complete their Level 1 Junior Sports Leaders’ courses. She has also assisted coaches with their Football Association Level 2 coaching course and organised a Level 1 coaching course for 24 young women.

“I’ve always had a really strong passion for football but I was also really inspired by the team GB women’s football team in the London Olympics in 2012,” she said. “Seeing the girls do well and players such as Kelly Smith and Stephanie Houghton play to the standard that they do really pushed me to continue playing football and improve provision for girls in my borough.”

The other awards were for:
Outstanding Achievement Award winner Reiss Ormonde-Cunningham
Overcoming Adversity Award winner Callum Myles
Rotary Award for Contribution to the Community winner Sophia Dinnall
Wandsworth Community Safety Award winner Bailey Black

The event is organised by the Young Person of the Year Trustees in conjunction with Wandsworth Council’s Youth Service and is funded by the Rotary Club, the Keen Group and Wandsworth Community Safety Trust.

Nominations for next year's award will open in early 2016. Check www.wandsworth.gov.uk/ypy nearer the time for details on how to enter.

May 15, 2015