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Pride of Somerset Youth Awards

PRIZEMONEY of £1,000 is being offered for this year's Pride of Somerset Youth Awards, being run by the Rotary International, your Yeovil Express and local radio station BBC Somerset.

The prize fund has come from donations from the Rotary Club, Connexions Somerset, and the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

And the awards will be presented at Somerset College’s conference centre in Taunton, which has been provided free of charge by the college.

The ceremony on January 16 next year will be hosted by a guest celebrity - keep reading to find out who it is.

Ken Bird, Editor-in-Chief of the Express, said: “Last year’s Pride of Somerset presentation ceremony was inspirational.

“We witnessed the best of what young people in our county can do while the award recipients and their parents told us how they would always remember such a fantastic occasion.

“Now we’d like to shine the spotlight on more special achievements and we look forward to receiving nominations.”

How do you nominate someone for an award?

Nominating someone special for the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards is easy!

Firstly, tell us about the nominee. Send us their full name, age, school/college (where appropriate), postal address, and contact phone number(s).

Write up to a maximum of 200 words detailing their accomplishments, to explain why they deserve a Pride of Somerset Youth Award.

Include your own name and contact details.

Send the details to newsdesk@countygazette.co.uk or to Youth Awards, Somerset County Gazette, St James Street, Taunton, TA1 1JR.

You can also nominate someone using the the on-line entry form

Please notify the nominee (or their parents, where appropriate), that you have put them forward.

Who are the awards for?

The awards are not split into categories – we just want to hear about young people who have shown that extra spirit to do something exceptional ... whatever it may be.

From achievements in sport and music to caring for others and the environment, we know there are young people out there who display tremendous generosity, courage, talent and passion.

The prizemoney, of £1,000, will be divided between the winners, who will also receive trophies as lasting recognition of their success.

Nominees must be under the age of 20 on January 16, 2008 – the day the awards will be presented and they must also live in Somerset.

What happens next?

You’ll see more articles in the Express and on this website in coming weeks promoting the awards.

You’ll also hear even more about the awards on BBC Somerset in coming weeks on 95.5FM and 1566AM.

The deadline for nominations is midday on Thursday, December 18.

The judging panel will meet in early January after which, those young people nominated for awards will be sent invitations to come along to the presentation ceremony on January 16 – accompanied by two guests of their choice.