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Wigan Borough salutes its young heroes
The unsung young heroes of Wigan Borough
will be recognised at an Oscar-style awards ceremony to be held at Haigh
Hall on March 14th.
The Wigan Young Heroes Awards 2008 will celebrate the contribution nine
individuals and seven local youth groups make to the local community.
Those receiving recognition include Mike Birch and John Sharrock.
Mike Birch, 18, from Hindley has cerebral palsy and needs a wheelchair
to get around. He can’t move his mouth to speak so he has learnt to use
a computer to act as his voice. Mike can’t use a keyboard, so he presses
a switch with his head to tell the computer what he wants to say. It has
taken him 15 years of practice to master his aid.
Mike was nominated for the Young Heroes Awards by Tamsin Crothers, from
the Speech Therapy Department at Oakfield High School in Hindley. Tamsin
says: ““Mike goes into a local primary school every week to read the
children stories and to be a role model to the mainstream pupils. He
shows it doesn’t matter how you get your message across because it is
what you say that matters.
“Some staff and children were nervous talking to Mike at first because
they were not used to his machine but he has shown everyone you don’t
need to be scared of talking to disabled people. He shows everyone that
if you use a communication tool you can be fun, cool and just like
everyone else.”
John Sharrock, 18, from Westhoughton will receive a Wigan Young Heroes
Award for volunteering on the Astley Ward at Wigan Infirmary. Celia
Topping, Voluntary Services Manager at Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS
Trust, nominated John for giving up four days every week since March
2007 to carry out various duties on the ward.
Celia Topping says: “John’s commitment has been second to none. He even
went as far as to change his personal appearance to conform with the
Trust’s current uniform and dress code, by having his traditionally long
hair cut short, which he chose to do of his own accord. He has been
extremely conscientious throughout his time at Wigan Infirmary. He is
always pleasant, punctual and willing to help in any way he can.”
John Sharrock says: “I really enjoy what I do to help on the wards
meeting staff and patients. I will continue to volunteer until I am able
to pursue my dream of having a career as a paramedic.”
The 2008 Wigan Young Heroes were chosen by Jasmin Boylan (16), Charlotte
Asker (14), Megan Price (13) and Ebony Yates (11), known collectively as
The Selection Crew, with support from Lisa Morris and Christine Boydell
from the Wigan Children’s Fund.
Selection Crew leader Jasmin Boylan, from Tyldesley, says: “The event
will recognise the young members of our society who put their heart and
soul into helping others, people who put an outstanding amount of effort
into improving our community.
“It will be a moving event which will show that the youth of today
aren’t all bad, but in fact some are excellent role models to their
peers and everyone around them.”
All of the young heroes will receive a certificate, a trophy and a £10
voucher to spend at a high street shop of their choice. In addition, the
Selection Crew have short listed three of the award winners for an
Outstanding Achievement Award. The winner, to be announced on the day,
will receive a £100 high street voucher.
The awards will be held in the Grand Ballroom at Haigh Hall on March
14th between 12noon and 3pm. The event will include a buffet, music from
local DJ Jason Bradley (16), a performance from a local youth dance
group and a short presentation from each award winner about their work.
The Selection Crew will compere the day and the hall will be decorated
with gold, silver and black balloons. The young people have written to
Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and comedian Peter Kay in a bid to get a
celebrity to present the awards.
• For further information about the Wigan Young Heroes Awards 2008
contact Christine Boydell at the Wigan Children’s Fund on (01942)
776924.
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Notes to Editors
Photo opportunity
• Members of the press are invited to the Wigan Young Heroes Awards
2008. Please contact Christine Boydell at the Wigan Children’s Fund on
(01942) 776924 to confirm your attendance
Further information
• For further information please contact Kennedy Stewart, Press Officer
for the Wigan Youth Information Team at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust,
on (01942) 486927.
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