Agenda item

The Chairman explained that the Junior Citizen Award was given to a young person from West Berkshire who has excelled in one of the following categories :

• Has helped someone in trouble
• Has achieved excellence in school or an outside activity
• Has made West Berkshire a better place to live and work
• Has demonstrated an act of bravery

He thanked the independent judging panel (Mrs Pat Eastop, Ms Lindsey Appleton and Mr John Aldis)who had met to consider the nominations.

Councillor Chopping noted that the panel had decided to award two Highly Commended certificates this year. The first of these certificates was awarded to Simon Ball. He was nominated by Mrs Orsolya Sirok, Manager of the Sue Ryder shop in Newbury for his voluntary work at the shop. The panel was very impressed with the voluntary work carried out by Simon, which they felt showed great commitment and a very caring attitude.

The second recipient of a Highly Commended award was Edward Collins.  He was nominated by his mother, Caroline Lane, for his work, both on a weekly basis and for a week long summer camp, teaching young people with Down’s Syndrome how to ride bikes. The panel felt that Edward’s caring attitude was evident and were sure that his work was very rewarding.

The third place winner was Josh Booker who was nominated by Norma Maggs of Sovereign Housing Association for his dedication and hard work as a volunteer at Riverside Community Centre. He helped to organise and run events that were put on for the younger members and often helped coach them in the various sports and activities. The panel noted how involved Josh was in the Community Centre and its activities and how his mature attitude and very positive outlook has led the children to look up to him as a role model.

In second place was Chris Weedon who was nominated by Mrs Jenny Johnson, his form tutor at Kennet School, for his voluntary work with Thatcham Town Disabled Football Club. He had coached the football team, and spent time socialising with the young people providing them with opportunities to develop their social skills and a place where they could feel valued and equal.  The panel was extremely impressed by the huge commitment demonstrated by Chris over three years.

The winner of the overall Junior Citizen of the Year Award for 2013 was Chloe Johnson who received four nominations from friends and members of the local community including the youth worker at Greenham Community Centre. Chloe was an active Youth Council member of the Greenham Community Youth Project when she was diagnosed with Leukaemia in November 2012. Chloe had retained her sense of humour and determination throughout her illness, starting a new college course, continuing to work with the Youth Project and fundraising for the John Radcliffe Hospital. The panel felt that Chloe’s bravery, determination and commitment to help others made her a worthy winner of the Junior Citizen of the Year Award 2013.