Inspiring young people from across the county will be recognised at the inaugural Norfolk Youth Awards at OPEN in Norwich on Wednesday evening. Here is a run down of the shortlisted nominees.
Sport Award - sponsored by Active Norfolk
• Layla Annison, 15 - Taking up archery aged nine, Layla won the indoor and outdoor UK Junior Championships three years running. Layla has gone on to be selected for Great Britain.
• Ruby Bishop, 13 - In 2016 Ruby discovered wheelchair tennis and last year won silver in the doubles, and bronze in the singles competitions in the National School Games Finals held at Loughborough University.
• Alice Casburn, 15 - After a successful year in eventing and show jumping in the Eastern region, Alice represented England in the U18 championships in both team and individual competitions.
• Ciaran Gallagher, 15 - Aged 14, Ciaran became the youngest person in the world to have completed 10 Tough Mudder events, earning all 10 legionnaire's headbands in the space of a year.
• Emily Woods, 19 - In 2016, Emily was selected as one of only five skaters to represent Great Britain in the world championships in Italy and was the only junior skater in the competition.
Perseverance Award - sponsored by Indigo Swan
• Grace Hawes, 15 - Grace was put on a part-time school timetable due to aggressive behaviour but has made big changes to her attitude and is now back on a full timetable and working hard towards her GCSEs.
• Maisie Lossau, 12 - In 2016 Maisie underwent a 7 hour operation to remove a brain tumour and was placed in a medically induced coma. She has had radiotherapy to fight the regrowth of the tumour and is fighting to one day walk again.
• Kaine Lee Whitaker, 14 - Kaine was taken into a car home in 2017 and despite a lot of emotional distress has continued to attend school and work hard.
Team of the Year – sponsored by Sportspark
• Nelson's Journey Youth Panel - The 12 young members of the panel have volunteered their time to help bereaved children by innovating and supporting the work of the charity.
• Sprowston Youth Engagement Project (SYEP) Young Committee - The team have ensured SYEP's events remain youth focussed. They have all become Dementia Friends and helped raise £300 for the Sprowston Dementia Cafe.
• SYEP Football Club - The club joined the Christian League this year and have won every single match this season.
Community Award – sponsored by Almary Green
• Tavis Gray, 20 - Tavis is running a youth club in Caister-on-Sea and volunteering at the Harbour Radio station in Great Yarmouth.
• Isaac Jervis, 8 - Isaac has completed several walks for the Alzheimer's Society, raising more than £250.
• Maud Webster, 16 - Maud volunteers in a charity shop, helps teachers in science lessons and is completing A levels and a Duke of Edinburgh award.
Charity Award – Sponsored by Price Bailey
• Tylisha Coe, 12 - Tylisha is on the autistic spectrum and has an amazing bond with animals, working hard to fundraise for an animal rescue centre in Briston.
• Isaac Jervis, 8 - Isaac's fundraising for the Alzheimer's Society have earned him two nominations.
• Kiera-Lea Lain, 11 - Since her father's death, Kiera-Lea has raised more than £1,000 working with Nelson's Journey.
Volunteer Award – sponsored by Norfolk's Police & Crime Commissioner
• Dom Belcher, 18 - Dom is Norfolk's first County Youth Commissioner and empowers young people aged 6 to 25 years to engage in scouting decision making.
• Kiera-Lea Lain, 11 - Kiera-Lea has become an ambassador for Nelson's Journey following her father's sudden suicide.
• Archie Roques, 17 - Archie has been a Norwich Junior Parkrun volunteer since it was launched in 2015, volunteering more than 80 times.
Education Award – sponsored by Hugh J Boswell
• Alfie Vaughan, 19 - Alfie achieved outstanding results at A level and taught himself Portuguese. He has now been offered a place at Cambridge studying Medieval and Modern Languages.
• Scott Waterman, 18 - Scott has mild learning difficulties and exceeded all his peers at Parkside School. He has gone on to achieve a distinction merit in a BTEC Level 2 Sports Diploma.
• Ryan Woodmansee, 18 - Ryan is attending university interviews for social work and is predicted A*s at A level. He is flouting gender norms and pursuing his passion and is an inspiration to others.
Arts Award – sponsored by N W Brown
• Georgi Ball, 17 - Georgi has worked extremely hard with her music career, playing in a local band Against All Odds and appearing at Open and the Waterfront. She is a talented singer, guitarist and drummer.
• Taryn Everdeen, 16 - Taryn runs a photography website and series of social media accounts and features in many of the Norfolk Youth Music Theatre performances.
• Jaimz Mee, 16 - Jaimz had to move schools because of bullying and is now devoting himself to his dancing passion, attending five classes a week.
Entrepreneur Award – sponsored by Larking Gowen
• Abigail Davis, 17 - Having identified a gap in the market for healthy cakes, Abigail launched her baking business, Maple and Muffins and takes regular monthly orders from cafes.
• Amber Docwra, 17 - Amber set up her pet accessory company Dolly's Pet Accessories as a fun hobby but was returning profits within two months. She aims to one day open her own shop.
Hero Award – This award recognises an adult who in the eyes of young people is a 'hero' and young persons' champion. Sponsored by Norfolk Constabulary
• Julia Fairbrother - Julia supports children and their families who are struggling in school and works with many youth groups and charities across Diss, Loddon and North Walsham.
• John Nooney - Over the course of John's 50 years of youth work he has become a father figure and a role model to countless young people.
• Michaela Rudling - At only 21, dance teacher Michaela has been described as a 'life saviour' and has always wanted to help others even when faced with her own problems.
• Lorna Vyse - Through her work with Nelson's Journey, Lorna has helped young people across Norfolk get through the darkest periods of their lives.
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