Barnham girl, 13, wins top Arun youth award

Lucy, 13, was the winner of her age category in this year's Arun youth community awards. She has volunteered at the parents and careers support organisation based in Chichester for more than two years.

This is a club for children and young people with a variety of additional needs. Lucy has been described as a fantastic member of the team who is hardworking, reliable and competent with children of all abilities. She said: "I feel very comfortable at the organisation because my brother has severe autism. We are all just like one big family there because we know each other so well.

"You know you are doing something good by the way the children look at you and it means a lot to them when you play with them. They know they have someone to talk to."

Up to 35 children attend the monthly Saturday morning sessions as well as holiday play schemes.

Lucy lives in Barnham, a short walk from St Philip Howard Catholic High School.

Two of its pupils also scooped the overall winners' prize in the awards.

Bernadette Ward and Mark Leyton claimed the top spot as well as being the 14- to 16-year- old prize winners.

They are heavily involved in the charity, Shared Lives, set up a year ago.

This has raised 4,500 for a nursery in Cape Town which looks after young children so their parents can go out to work.

Bernadette and Mark, both aged 14, have been involved in fundraising events such as a gala, concerts and sponsored walk.

Bernadette, from Rustington, said: "There are so many bad things happening in the world, we wanted to show there are some good people around as well.

"The enjoyment we get is knowing the children are having some good in their lives."

Angmering resident Mark said: "A nun from the project came to talk to us and showed us photos of the children who were all smiling and happy that we were helping them."

The charity's next event is a jazz night on April 18 at St Mary's Hall in Arundel.

Other award winners at the ceremony were: 14-16 years runner-up: Zac Smith, 16, Littlehampton; 17-19 winner: Katherine Anstee, 18, Angmering; runner-up: Katie Tilling, 17, Bognor Regis.

The prizes were determined by the Arun youth councillors.

The award ceremony was held at the Windmill entertainment centre in Littlehampton by leisure operator Inspire Leisure.

Vice chairman John Norris praised all the young people who had been nominated.

"It's a wonderful thing that we can look towards young people and say what a brilliant job some of them are doing.

"I am amazed and very proud. It's a great pleasure to hear about all the good projects which are going on in Arun.

"The parents, of whom I know some are very proud here today, had a lot to do with that."

Nominees from the Bognor area

The full list of nominees from the Bognor area was:

17-19 years: Katie Tilling '“ keen, reliable and enthusiastic leader who organises activities such as sports, arts and crafts for young children at Club One and Youth of Bognor camp.

14-16 years: Megan Hamilton, 14, Felpham '“ also involved with Club One and Youth of Bognor camp.

Bethan Hamilton, 14, Felpham '“ also involved with Club One and Youth of Bognor camp.

Georgina Denyer, 15, Westergate Community School '“ a volunteer at Westergate youth wing and chairs the local youth forum.

She makes an outstanding contribution to the youth wing.

Joe Rideout, 16, Westergate Community School '“ also makes an outstanding contribution to the youth wing and is a member of the local youth forum.

Gemma Hewson, 15, Yapton, Hayley Dean, 14, Westergate Community School, Amy Newman, 14, Slindon, Fleur Gribble, 14, Barnham, Tia Pounce, 14, Arundel, Megan Lavill, 15, Yapton, Elissa Marino, 14, Walberton, Alastair Robinson and Ryan Lee Smith '“ all mentors at Westergate youth wing.

Georgina Satturley, 14, Amanda Reeve, 14, Roisin McNally, 14, and Keeley Butler, 14 '“ members of the Philip Howard Against Bullying Behaviour group working against cyber bullying and selling anti-bullying wristbands.

Kieron Playle Howard, 16, Felpham, Tim Simmonds, 15, Felpham '“ peer mentoring young pupils at an after school club at South Bersted Primary School. Organised a five-a-side tournament last summer.

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