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Conor Coady kick-starts Wolverhampton's Young Citizen award

Wolves captain Conor Coady has kick-started this year’s bid to find the city’s Young Citizen of the Year.

By Peter Madeley
Published

He officially launched the award at Wolves’ training ground in Compton Park, along with Deputy Mayor Councillor Phil Page, Rotarians, judges and former participants.

It recognises youngsters aged 14 to 19 who have made a significant contribution to the city, and celebrates their achievements.

Organised by the city’s five Rotary clubs in partnership with Wolverhampton Council, the Express & Star, Wolves, Waitrose and The Way Youth Zone, the award is now in its fifth year.

Coady, who is this year’s Young Citizen Award ambassador, said: “I am delighted to support these awards which recognise and celebrate young people who go the extra mile to help others.”

Last year’s runners up Darram Koomer and Amy Nicholas also attended the launch.

Conor Coady with Amy Nicholas and Darram Koomer. At the back is Deputy Mayor Phil Page, the Deputy Mayoress Elaine Hadley-Howell; Peter Madeley and Rotarian Roger Timbrell.
Conor Coady with Amy Nicholas and Darram Koomer. At the back is Deputy Mayor Phil Page, the Deputy Mayoress Elaine Hadley-Howell; Peter Madeley and Rotarian Roger Timbrell.

In 2017 it was won by Gareth Rafferty, who was nominated by Alice Vickers, a corporate parenting officer in the city.

Gareth was recognised for his overwhelming commitment to looking after children and care leavers in Wolverhampton.

He came through the city’s care system and is now studying at university.

Chairman of the organising committee, Roger Timbrell, said: “The award recognises young people with a real passion for helping others and encouraging them to be active in their communities.

“The quality of applicants has been fantastic in previous years, and Gareth was a more than worthy winner in 2017. We expect the 2018 award to be no different.”

Anyone can nominate a young person who lives, goes to school or works within the borough of Wolverhampton.

The winner will receive a cash prize of £100, and £500 will be awarded to their nominator’s youth group, school, organisation or chosen charity.

The award is dedicated to former Wolverhampton Rotarian Tom Warren, who served as director of education for 25 years.

He retired from that post in 1945 to become only the second Briton ever to lead Rotary International throughout the world. In doing so he became one of a small group of Rotarians involved in the groundwork which lead to the formation of the United Nations.

Nomination forms are available from the Civic Centre and Waitrose on Penn Road and entries are open until the end of May.

Visit wolverhamptonyoungcitizen.org.uk for more details about the award, plus online entry forms.