Posted on 2nd Dec
Seven inspirational young people have been recognised for their outstanding achievements of overcoming severe health challenges or going the extra mile for others.
They were named district winners of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Outstanding Achievement 4Uth Award for 2024 at an awards ceremony,
The seven young people were honoured at the annual final at County Hall, Nottingham. The annual event was attended by the winners and their proud families, who gathered to watch videos celebrating the achievements and remarkable stories.
Also among the guests were members of the council’s youth service; the chairman of the council, Coun Richard Butler; the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronika Pickering; and one of her deputies, Alex Peace-Gadsby.
The seven winners were Chloe Martin, 20, of Ashfield; Dexter Chadburn, 16, of Mansfield; Isabelle Sears, 15, of Newark and Sherwood; Josh Verney, 17, of Broxtowe; Freddie Vokes, 15, of Gedling; Abi Noble, 16, of Rushcliffe; and overall winner Shelly Underwood, 15, of Bassetlaw.
Shelly was nominated for her tenacious ability to overcome difficulty in her personal life while living with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), a rare chronic form of cystic fibrosis that affects the lungs and several other organs.
Coun Tracey Taylor, the council’s cabinet member for Children and Families, said: “It has been wonderful to give all the district winners the recognition they deserve for their incredible accomplishments.”
Isabelle was said to have shown bravery and tenacity in her health recovery and actively helped to raise money and awareness of some of the difficulties faced by young people.
Coun Butler added: “It’s such a joy to celebrate the wonderful achievements of the amazing young people in Nottinghamshire.
“Overcoming challenges, lifting others up and making a real difference to the community — that’s no small thing. All the district winners should be very proud of themselves.”
Pictured, back row from left, are Coun Johno Lee, deputy chair of Nottinghamshire County Council; Coun Tracey Taylor; the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronika Pickering; Coun Richard Butler, chairman of the council; and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Alex Peace-Gadsby.
Front row are the seven winners, from left, Josh Verney, Chloe Martin, Isabelle Sears, Shelly Underwood, Abi Noble, Freddie Vokes and Dexter Chadburn.
