Oxfordshire Youth Awards - Past Winners

Supporting youth clubs and communities within Oxfordshire

JAKE SPICER SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

1st Place: Kais

Kais was born and brought up in war torn Afghanistan. He witnessed many atrocities. Things were so bad his mother told him to leave and make his way to the UK. He left home, left everything he knew and set out all on his own, aged 11. He spent nearly 2 years walking and travelling however he could, and eventually made it to Dover under a lorry. He was found by the authorities and now lives with a foster family in Southmoor. He has lots of friends, is working hard at school and makes the most of every opportunity.

Runners Up:

Luke Biggs, Ellie Fear, Jenny Csecs, Silva Bee and Megan Shemmel.

VOLUNTEER AWARD

1st Place: Josh Boffin

Josh is a young man who been a volunteer with St John’s Ambulance since the age of 9 and is now a corporal and teaches other cadets and is a Level 2 which is the highest level for a cadet his age. In the last 3 years he has clocked up 400 hours duty with St John’s Ambulance.

2nd Place: Jodie O’Shea

Jodie was nominated for helping at Wolvercote Young People’s Club, where she does whatever is asked of her, even doing detached youth work in the snow and freezing weather without complaint.

3rd Place: Ciaron Vinten

Ciaron was nominated for helping to coach the Barton Under 10’s football team and for being a great role model.

ARTS AWARD

1st Place: Catherine Turvey

Catherine had seven separate nominations and is a young woman who started writing poetry and short stories at the age of 9. She became a published author at the age of 13 with her book of poetry entitled “The Voice Within” and actively supports Age UK and donates part of her royalties to local charities.

2nd Place: Raahat Kaduji

Raahat is very talented artist and composer who composed and performed music for the Brit Writer’s Awards in 2010.

3rd Place: Jamie Unwin

A talented photographer who has been a finalist in Landscape Photographer of the Year Competition and RSPCA National Photography Competition and who has had photos published in Country Life Magazine.

SPORTS AWARD

1st Place: Frances Groves
Frances has been doing acrobatics since the age of 11. She gained a silver medal with her trio at the World Sports Acro Championships.

2nd Place: William Macke
William is an excellent cyclist who has reached high and consistent levels of success at local, national and international level. He was also part of the England Cycling Team for the UK School Games 2010.

3rd Place: Oliver Stevenson
Oliver is an exceptional cricketer and footballer. He was signed to the Aston Villa academy team at the age of 8 and was recently given a two year scholarship to Aston Villa and selected for training at the School boys Training Camp.

COMMUNITY AWARD

1st Place: Bea Curtis
Bea is a member of her school council, is in lots of school teams, is a peer mentor and acts as a buddy to Year 7 pupils. She is very popular with pupils and staff and always acts in a selfless and genuine manner.

2nd Place: Nemat Gul Mohammad
Nemat works hard and helps new arrivals and younger students despite never going to school before coming to this country.

3rd Place: The St John Ambulance County Youth Assembly Lead Team
The team do excellent work acting as a link throughout St John’s Ambulance to ensure the voices of young people are heard.

INDIVIDUAL BRAVERY AWARD

1st Place: Beatrice Carr

A severe asthma attack and subsequent surgery has left Bea paralysed from the chest down and yet Bea has persevered and just doesn’t give up! Bea goes along to guides, and with her Guide unit regularly fundraises for charity. Bea also fund-raises on her own for several charities.

2nd Place: Lydia Berrows

Lydia underwent a 6 hour operation on her spine for scoliosis, and despite going through 2 stressful cancellations and small cerebro spinal leak which gave her bad headaches for a month, has never wavered in her courage and bravery and has gone through everything with a smile.

Joint 3rd Place: Jilly Becksley and Egil Nari

Jilly was nominated for her bravery in overcoming her shyness while attending Barton Girl’s and young women’s project, where she now helps out and is a role model to younger girls. Egil came to this country a year ago and has adjusted to his new life and embraced it’s challenges with great bravery and fortitude. He is a very positive role model and is keen to assist other young people.