Top youngsters are awarded

Derbyshire County Council celebrated some of the county’s most exceptional young people at the 14th Derbyshire Young Achiever Awards.

Among the 95 youngsters commended on the night included Cerys Parkin, Evie Knowles, Harriet Limb, Jamie Williams, Maddie Thompson, Megan Ellis and Mollie Salt.

The awards ceremony was held in Highfields School, Matlock, and Strictly Come Dancing star Robbie Savage handed out the awards along with chairman of the council George Wharmby.

Leader of the council Andrew Lewer commented: “We know that young people have a lot to give.

“The majority of young people are doing good things in our schools, homes and communities.

“Unfortunately we do not get to hear enough about them - which is why we think it is important to recognise the outstanding achievements of these incredible young people.”

The event was sponsored by Henry Boot Developments, Faithful and Gould, Tomlinson Building, The Osborne Group, Danubius Hotels Group, Istead, Hassop Hall Hotel, High Peak Radio, Whittington Moor Printing Works, TMUK Charitable Trust and Sainsbury’s.

Details of the winners are as follows –

n Cerys Parkin, 17, of Ashover, is a budding author having had a book and a series of articles about Derbyshire’s history published.

n Evie Knowles, eight, of Rowsley, has Crohn’s disease and has had to endure frequent visits to hospital for tests and treatments.

n Harriet Limb, seven, of Crich, is a cyclist, gymnast and swimmer. She won first place in the under 7s British Schools Cycling Association National Circuit competition.

n Jamie Williams, nine, of Bonsall, was named British Youth Trials Champion earlier this year for his talent on his 500cc trials motorcycle.

n Maddie Thompson, 17, of Hope Valley, was part of the British women’s wheelchair basketball team, which competed in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

n Megan Ellis, 15, of Hathersage, volunteered each Saturday at her local air ambulance charity shop. She regularly writes to local people asking for donations.

n Mollie Salt, three, of Parwich, suffers from Global Development Delay, meaning she does not gain weight or grow the way other children her age do.