LETTER: Nominate young people for awards

Too often all we hear are negative comments about young people. I would like everyone to challenge that; think positively and come up with suggestions about young people who have made an exceptional contribution to their community - we then want to encourage them to apply for this year’s Ambition AXA Awards.

As a volunteering and learning charity, CSV has 50 years’ experience of empowering people of all ages to take positive action in their communities.

I will be helping to judge the community category for the Ambition AXA Awards and, during the summer, we want young people to tell us how they have worked with others to make that important difference.

There is something very special about the care and commitment young people bring, as well as their boundless energy and enthusiasm. Community achievements can be as diverse as campaigning to stamp out bullying or gang culture or creating a wildlife haven for rare animals. Young people have helped older people feel less isolated in their homes, helped them use computers and get online while others have overcome their own disabilities to improve lives.

The awards, targeted at 11-18-year olds, have been created to recognise outstanding young people in the Arts, community, enterprise, science and sport. The winner in each category receives a mentoring prize worth up to £40,000 per category to progress their ambitions so they can continue to make that important difference.

More information is available at www.csv.org.uk Please encourage young people to apply so that we can celebrate their remarkable achievements.

LUCY de GROOT (Chief Executive

CSV, 237 Pentonville Road

LONDON