Jake is a worthy winner of Young Good Citizen of the Year award (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Jake is a worthy winner of Young Good Citizen of the Year award

8:40am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News

THE achievements of local youngsters have been celebrated at West Mercia Police's annual Young Good Citizen of the Year award ceremony.

In a change to previous years, 10 children were crowned winners this year instead of just one.

The winners were presented with their awards at a gala event at force HQ, Hindlip Hall, Worcester on Thursday, 4 October.

The awards, now in their 25th year, aim to honour those whose acts of generosity and displays of community spirit have made a difference to other people's lives.

The winning youngsters were chosen from nearly 100 young people nominated from across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire, and are as follows:

One of the worthy winners was Jake Hanks, aged 16, from Alvechurch

A spokesman said: “Jake started at South Bromsgrove High School in 2009 after his older brother had tragically committed suicide. Jake demonstrated a positive attitude towards all aspects of school life from day one and coped extraordinarily well with the situation, considering the circumstances and pressures on him.

“Jake recently organised an amazing run in memory of his brother in aid of PAPYRUS, a teenage suicide charity. This required charity fundraising, organising friends and peers, while also performing in his band at the event held at his family home. Jake's fantastic work, commitment and fabulous attitude to life makes him a worthy award winner."

Each award winner was presented with a certificate and a £100 gift voucher for the online store Amazon.

Awards were presented by Penelope Lewis, High Sheriff of Worcestershire; Lieutenant Colonel Thwaites, High Sheriff of Herefordshire; John Abram, High Sheriff of Shropshire, with the opening and closing speeches being made by Deputy Chief Constable Simon Chesterman.