Posted: 14/10/10
Double award joy for teens
Two West Nottinghamshire College students are celebrating after being awarded prizes at the Nottinghamshire Young People of the Year (Yopey) awards.
The awards ceremony, held at the University of Nottingham last week (7 October), saw winner Rebecca Bateman, 18, a foundation degree sports coaching student, scoop the first prize of £1,000.
Rebecca, from Calverton, who helps children at different clubs five days a week, wowed judges with her range of activities dedicated to helping people in her community.
She coaches children in football at Arnold Hill School on Sundays, teaches karate at Redhill Leisure Centre on Mondays and works as a young leader at Calverton Beaver Scouts on Tuesdays.
She also helps underprivileged youngsters at the People's Pentecostal Church in Bestwood on Wednesdays and on Thursdays she works with youngsters with learning and physical disabilities at Gedling Sports Plus Club.
She said: "It all started when I did my bronze Duke of Edinburgh and I helped at a children's after-school club. I just got into it. I really like being around people.
“The result came as a surprise and I was up against some great people. It’s a privilege to win.”
Also thrilled with her was nan, Joy Bateman, who is not in the best of her health. Joy, who is often helped by Rebecca at her home in Arnold, said the win was fantastic. “I’m so proud of her,” she said.
Meanwhile, Laura Bartram, 17, who is studying professional cookery at the college, won third prize of £250 for creating a Saturday activity club called SCATT (Saturdays Can Alter Tedious Times). Laura decided she wanted to stop people drinking and causing trouble on Friday nights by providing them with a reason to get up early on a Saturday.
Laura said: “I just thought that there was no point in these young people drinking on a Friday night, getting very drunk in some case and causing anti-social behaviour, sometimes attracting the attention of the police."
Laura, who received her prize from the county’s High Sheriff Amanda Farr, will give £125 to Framework, which deals with alcohol abuse. She was shocked but proud to win.
Head of school for hospitality, sport, leisure and travel at the college, Mary Buckland, said: “I am so proud that two students from our school of learning have achieved such success. Their approach to helping others and bringing such initiative and bright ideas to working with young people in their communities is just amazing.
"They will go far in their studies and lives with their innovative and kind-hearted attitudes.”
This was the fourth final of Young People of the Year in Nottinghamshire. The contest reveals, recognises and rewards positive role models who make a difference to others.
