The 2009 Awards ceremony on 17 February was hosted by Konnie Huq and the finalists and their families were amongst the 220 guests who enjoyed the evening.
Meet the talented winners of the awards for each category and take a look at how they’ve put their £1,000 prize money to good use. How would you spend yours?
Eighteen-year-old Ryan Elliott, from Norwich, won both the community category and the ultimate winner of winners prize for his huge amount of volunteer work over the past five years. Ryan spends his time volunteering for a whole host of youth projects that ensure young people throughout Norfolk are given a voice. These include Norfolk Youth Fund, Voice, Take Flight, New Routes, Vauxhall Youth Club, Hear By Right, Youth Snap Saturdays and Hellesdon Youth Club.
Ryan decided to use his money to set up ‘Urban United’, a football team for people from other countries living in Norfolk, as well as sharing his winnings amongst the youth groups he works with.
As Ryan said: “My prize money will help a lot of young people. I hope other young people will see I have won and aspire to do similar things to me. It shows you can make a positive difference to the area you live in.”
Sophie Speer was crowned the winner of the bravery category for always remaining positive despite being born with neurofibromatosis and losing her leg to cancer in 2006. Sophie was nominated by one of her teachers at Reepham High School.
Having lost her leg though cancer, Sophie will be using her money to fund a specially-fitted new leg.
Breeding geese, bantams and managing a flock of sheep while also studying at Easton College earned David Ketteringham the young farmer award. The 16-year-old from Ashill has demonstrated the breadth of skill involved in farming today while also showing grit, resolve and passion for farming.
David’s prize money has been spent on sheep rearing equipment and fencing, making it possible for him to realise his dream of running his own farm one day.
Javelin thrower Oliver Bradfield has scooped the Sporting Achiever prize after becoming the first British 12-year-old to throw a javelin over 50m. This summer Oliver won a gold medal at the English Schools Athletics Championships breaking the existing championship record of 54.65m set in 2003 by almost 6 metres Oliver, now 13 and from Taverham, has broken the British record four times. Having a new javelin, sports equipment and a contribution towards travel costs means Oliver is able to continue improving his performance and compete in all the important competitions around the country.
Will Sandcraft, 18 won the Education Achievement award for his excellence in science. Will, won an Ogden Trust Scholarship enabling him attend Gordonstoun School, in Scotland. He has achieved 100pc in an AS physics exam and won a British Physics Olympiad Award and a BA Gold Crest Award for creativity in science.
Will’s money will go on a trek to the Himalayas, putting him one step closer to achieving his ambition of becoming a young explorer with the British Schools Exploring Society.
Accomplished musician Lois Braysher was named the top Cultural Achiever. Lois, 16, from Dereham, is the principal clarinet in the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra and she has been invited to be a founder member of the new Junior Academy of Music. She has also gained a distinction in her ABRSM Grade Six Exam.
Lois bought a new clarinet and has now intends to go on to study music at university.
A group of youngsters with learning difficulties and other disabilities that works together to help build equality and opportunity has been named the Best Team. Norwich based - Build Youth Group is a team of young people aged between 13 and 18 which meets each week to take part in a range of different activities to help build up confidence.
The group decided to spend their prize money on creating a new film all about Build Youth Group. There is no ‘Best Team’ category for 2010 Awards – Teams may enter any of the other categories!
His vision to turn an overgrown piggery into a wonderful wildlife garden earned Lee Royal the Environment prize. The 17-year-old from Easton transformed the concrete area at the outreach centre he attends into a garden which gives enjoyment to staff, students and local wildlife.
Lee is putting his money into developing the wildlife area further with the construction of a new pond for the area.
After his best friend died of a rare brain tumour at the age of 13, Dean Johnson devoted his time to raising funds in honour of his friend's memory. Dean, 15, has now raised more than £6,000, for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust which funds research into childhood and adult brain tumours and offers support to patients and their carers. Dean decided to donate some of his prize money to the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and used the rest for a school ski trip in memory of his friend.
Jamie Archer, 16, from Horning, for establishing a rural youth group.
Richie Leech, 18, from Stoke Holy Cross, for his determination to become a motocross rider and overcoming a number of injuries.
Emily Rout, 17, from Tibbenham, for showing understanding of modern farming issues and registering her own Holstein herd.
Danielle Shorten, 17, from Wymondham, for dedication to water skiing and representing Great Britain.
Bethany Coggins, 15, from Hethersett, for swimming achievements including being the youngest member of the Great Britain swimming team at the 2008 European Championships.
Louise Cadge, 17, from Wymondham, for achievements in cricket.
Ben Harwood, 17, from Long Stratton, for windsurfing achievements including being the UK Windsurfing National Champion in freestyle, freewave and wave.
Jack McCurley, 17, from Bunwell, for being among the top 10 of 72,362 Additional Science GCSE entries in 2007.
Scarlett Saunders, 14, from Felixstowe, for drama and literature achievements.
Anti-bullying campaign group Just Smile, which is based at Shipdham and was created by Neola, Ellice and Ria Bush and Harriet Gilford.
Sheringham High School's Eco Team which has helped install a wind turbine to generate a tenth of the school's energy
James Lambert, 16, from Norwich, for raising more than £3,000 from sponsored walks, split between a research fund for oesophageal cancer, East Anglia's Children's Hospices, and the Parkinson's Disease Society.
Winner of Winners and Community
Eighteen-year-old Ryan Elliott, from Norwich, won both the community category and the ultimate winner of winners prize for his huge amount of volunteer work over the past five years. Ryan spends his time volunteering for a whole host of youth projects that ensure young people throughout Norfolk are given a voice. These include Norfolk Youth Fund, Voice, Take Flight, New Routes, Vauxhall Youth Club, Hear By Right, Youth Snap Saturdays and Hellesdon Youth Club.
Ryan decided to use his money to set up ‘Urban United’, a football team for people from other countries living in Norfolk, as well as sharing his winnings amongst the youth groups he works with.
As Ryan said: “My prize money will help a lot of young people. I hope other young people will see I have won and aspire to do similar things to me. It shows you can make a positive difference to the area you live in.”
Bravery
Sophie Speer was crowned the winner of the bravery category for always remaining positive despite being born with neurofibromatosis and losing her leg to cancer in 2006. Sophie was nominated by one of her teachers at Reepham High School.
Having lost her leg though cancer, Sophie will be using her money to fund a specially-fitted new leg.
Young Farmer
Breeding geese, bantams and managing a flock of sheep while also studying at Easton College earned David Ketteringham the young farmer award. The 16-year-old from Ashill has demonstrated the breadth of skill involved in farming today while also showing grit, resolve and passion for farming.
David’s prize money has been spent on sheep rearing equipment and fencing, making it possible for him to realise his dream of running his own farm one day.
Sporting Achiever
Javelin thrower Oliver Bradfield has scooped the Sporting Achiever prize after becoming the first British 12-year-old to throw a javelin over 50m. This summer Oliver won a gold medal at the English Schools Athletics Championships breaking the existing championship record of 54.65m set in 2003 by almost 6 metres Oliver, now 13 and from Taverham, has broken the British record four times. Having a new javelin, sports equipment and a contribution towards travel costs means Oliver is able to continue improving his performance and compete in all the important competitions around the country.
Educational Achievement
Will Sandcraft, 18 won the Education Achievement award for his excellence in science. Will, won an Ogden Trust Scholarship enabling him attend Gordonstoun School, in Scotland. He has achieved 100pc in an AS physics exam and won a British Physics Olympiad Award and a BA Gold Crest Award for creativity in science.
Will’s money will go on a trek to the Himalayas, putting him one step closer to achieving his ambition of becoming a young explorer with the British Schools Exploring Society.
Cultural Achiever
Accomplished musician Lois Braysher was named the top Cultural Achiever. Lois, 16, from Dereham, is the principal clarinet in the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra and she has been invited to be a founder member of the new Junior Academy of Music. She has also gained a distinction in her ABRSM Grade Six Exam.
Lois bought a new clarinet and has now intends to go on to study music at university.
Best Team
A group of youngsters with learning difficulties and other disabilities that works together to help build equality and opportunity has been named the Best Team. Norwich based - Build Youth Group is a team of young people aged between 13 and 18 which meets each week to take part in a range of different activities to help build up confidence.
The group decided to spend their prize money on creating a new film all about Build Youth Group. There is no ‘Best Team’ category for 2010 Awards – Teams may enter any of the other categories!
Environment
His vision to turn an overgrown piggery into a wonderful wildlife garden earned Lee Royal the Environment prize. The 17-year-old from Easton transformed the concrete area at the outreach centre he attends into a garden which gives enjoyment to staff, students and local wildlife.
Lee is putting his money into developing the wildlife area further with the construction of a new pond for the area.
Charity
After his best friend died of a rare brain tumour at the age of 13, Dean Johnson devoted his time to raising funds in honour of his friend's memory. Dean, 15, has now raised more than £6,000, for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust which funds research into childhood and adult brain tumours and offers support to patients and their carers. Dean decided to donate some of his prize money to the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and used the rest for a school ski trip in memory of his friend.
Shortlisted enteries 2009
There were a total of 113 entries for the 2009 awards and as well as the winners the following were shortlisted:Community
The Costessey Youth Posse for its dedication to projects aimed at improving Costessey.Jamie Archer, 16, from Horning, for establishing a rural youth group.
Bravery
Sophie Earland, 13, from Felixstowe, for courageously supporting her family when her grandma died.Richie Leech, 18, from Stoke Holy Cross, for his determination to become a motocross rider and overcoming a number of injuries.
Young Farmer
Harry Stowell, 16, from Flordon, for commitment to farming and stepping into his father's role on the family farm.Emily Rout, 17, from Tibbenham, for showing understanding of modern farming issues and registering her own Holstein herd.
Sporting Achiever
Lewis Humphries, 13, from Blofield, for representing his country at the World Archery Championships.Danielle Shorten, 17, from Wymondham, for dedication to water skiing and representing Great Britain.
Bethany Coggins, 15, from Hethersett, for swimming achievements including being the youngest member of the Great Britain swimming team at the 2008 European Championships.
Louise Cadge, 17, from Wymondham, for achievements in cricket.
Ben Harwood, 17, from Long Stratton, for windsurfing achievements including being the UK Windsurfing National Champion in freestyle, freewave and wave.
Educational Achievement
Joseph Prendergast, 11, from Brundall, for battling against difficulties and now flourishing at school.Jack McCurley, 17, from Bunwell, for being among the top 10 of 72,362 Additional Science GCSE entries in 2007.
Cultural Achiever
Claire Keats, 15, from Thetford, for achievements in Irish dancing.Scarlett Saunders, 14, from Felixstowe, for drama and literature achievements.
Best Team
A Duke of Edinburgh's Award team from Freethorpe including Alex Ash, Sara Ward, Lauren and Kelly Peacock. The team has helped elderly people, as well as brownie, cub scouts and guide units, and completed the gold and silver Duke of Edinburgh's Awards.Anti-bullying campaign group Just Smile, which is based at Shipdham and was created by Neola, Ellice and Ria Bush and Harriet Gilford.
Environment
Fakenham High School's Team Eco which has saved the school money and resources and promoted sustainable living.Sheringham High School's Eco Team which has helped install a wind turbine to generate a tenth of the school's energy
Charity
Jake Graham, 11, from Thorpe Marriott, for riding the Big C Charity cycle ride at Holkham every year in memory of his granddad.James Lambert, 16, from Norwich, for raising more than £3,000 from sponsored walks, split between a research fund for oesophageal cancer, East Anglia's Children's Hospices, and the Parkinson's Disease Society.
