Brave Burnham-On-Sea youngsters who have overcome difficulties have been honoured at the town’s 2006 Youth of Courage Awards.
The Rotary Club event is held every two years to celebrate the achievements of local youngsters who have shown tremendous courage in their everyday life.
Nominations were received from schools, youth clubs and parents – and the nominees attended a special awards dinner at the Battleborough Grange on Thursday night (March 30th), attended by more than 100 people.
Burnham’s Mayor Cllr Eric Gill joined Rotary President George Moon in presented awards to the five special youngsters – Daniel Street, Alison Bennett, Mark Broadway, and Rebecca and Philip Milton.
Alison, pictured right, has a wide range of health and learning problems, but has overcome these to achieve a great deal with Curtain Call Performing Arts School and was able to play her part in the group’s very successful entry for a musical threatre exam.
Alison attended the awards with her mother, Caroline, and both Patricia and Amanda Ham from Curtain Call.
Rebecca and Philip Milton, despite a traumatic past, have been able to contrbute a great deal to the BAY Centre’s Saturday morning club and this has contributed a great deal to the lives of those who attend.
They attended this week’s awards evening with their mother, Julie, and the BAY Centre’s Denis Hewings.
Daniel, pictred right, became a leading light within the Warhammer Club at Burnham’s BAY Centre, despite having autistic problems, and organised a tournament and encouraged others attending the Saturday morning club to participate.
Although he has moved on, they are indebted to Daniel for the effort he put into this very successful club. He attended the awards with his mother, Pauline.
Mark Broadway, pictured right, being the only child remaining at home, has coped with caring for his mother, working in a part time job and still throws himself into his school work – all of which he has coped with extremely well.
Mark attended the awards with his mother, Janice, and Sue Masters from King Alfred School.
The Rotary Club’s Mike Young told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “There are a number of people in our community who, despite personal difficulties strive, to achieve success within their education, sporting activities or in their general lives. All too often they are not given the recognition they deserve.”
