High-achievers across the borough were recognised by the Jack Petchey Achievement Awards and given a cheque for £250 each, writes Hillary Chaisson…
Two ceremonies took place to honour the inspiring resilience and persistence of others .
The first ceremony honoured people who made an impact within clubs and groups and took place on the 8th of July with twenty-one-year –old James Sollis being recognized.
James from Bermondsey’s Bede House, was nominated by his peers for the ‘breaking through a personal barrier’ award for powering through disability.
James has been attending learning disability senior club at the Bede House for a couple of years now.
Before coming to the Bede House, he was not very trusting of people due to bad experiences with other young people before.
However, since then he has gained confidence and joined a football team that holds competitions against different teams all over the country.
Chelsea-mad James used his award to go with friends on a tour of the club he has supported since he was a child and watch a match at the Stamford Bridge Stadium.
The second Jack Petchey Achievement Awards ceremony took place on the 11th of July, this time honouring schools and inspirational schoolchildren within them.
There were six children from Southwark who were honoured at this event out of 104.
The names of the recipients for the Jack Petchey Achievement Awards are: Pedro Chagas (17, Sacred Heart RC School), Theodore Diamond (12, City of London Academy), Joshua Hunter (16, Highshore School), Zidane Phillip Spencer (12, Newlands Academy), Sebri Musa (14, Ark Globe Academy), and Casper Glemser (12, St. Michael’s RC College).
These students were nominated by their peers and leaders.
Southwark schools have received funding of £432,203 from the Jack Petchey Foundation since 2006.
Yvonne Ely, assistant director for Southwark SEN and Inclusion said: “It is amazing to see the young people of Southwark achieve so much and be recognised for it.”
Donna Fraser, former Olympic athlete said: “It was a fantastic evening of celebrating achievements by our young people.
“There were so many inspirational young people here tonight it was a pleasure to be part of such a positive evening. ”
The Jack Petchey Achievement Awards honoured winners aged 11-25, who received medallions to go with their framed certificate and a cheque for £250 each.