"Help us celebrate our fantastic young people" - rallying call for sponsors to support Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year Awards
An inspiring awards scheme celebrating young people today issued an appeal for support from businesses to ensure its future.
Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year Awards are organised by the city's Rotary Clubs to celebrate the achievements of those in their teenage years and early 20s.
They culminate in a presentation evening and this year's event, in its 12th year, was held at the University of Wolverhampton with around 140 guests, led by Mayor Councillor Craig Collingswood.
The awards recognise remarkable people in their teenage years and early 20s, with a nomination process creating a list of finalists and two overall winners.
The annual initiative is organised and run entirely by volunteers and it needs sponsorship support to ensure it continues into the future.
Former Wolves player Mel Eves, a Rotarian who chairs the organising committee, said: "It is a wonderful event and we are constantly astounded by the achievements and dedication of the young people who are nominated. The awards shine a really positive light on the young people of Wolverhampton, but we do need sponsors to come in to support us."
Sponsors will receive publicity as part of the awards, with branding opportunities at the ceremony and across promotional materials and its website. They will also be invited to the event, which this year had Wolverhampton's world-renowned microscopic artist Willard Wigan as its guest of honour.
Ethan Shaw won this year's 13 to 18 category for his inspirational efforts to raise money for the charity Mind as well as his leadership in music and drama at Moseley Park School. The award is named after Tettenhall Rotarian Roger Timbrell, who has been an integral part of the awards and was on stage to present it to Ethan.
The 19 to 25 category was won by Frazer Humphreys, who plays an active part in the charity Mandem Meetup, which gives young men in the city the chance to meet and enjoy activities while learning how to cope with challenges around mental health. He joined the group himself and now helps leads chats and hikes for its 300 members.
A special recognition award also went to Wolverhampton College student Eva Abley, who is known to millions as a comedian on Britain’s Got Talent. She is a previous winner and was rewarded for her continued work in highlighting challenges for disabled young people.
Mayor Councillor Craig Collingswood, who was joined evening by his daughter and mayoress Abby, said the awards are an incredible advert for the talents of young people.
He said: "I was blown away by the evening. It makes me so proud of Wolverhampton to see what wonderful people we have growing up in our city. The amazing things these young people have accomplished at such a young age is outstanding. They have grown up in our city and they are product of people in our city."
You can find out more about the awards here.
To find out more about sponsorship, email Rotarians Simon Archer at simon@westmidlandsmagazines.com or Beverley Momenabadi at beverley.momenabadi@gmail.com.
