Caring duo honoured to judge prestigious awards

Published 14 Oct 2009 15:13 0 Comments

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TWO local women helped to judge a prestigious awards ceremony down in London last week.

Gazette reporter Jennifer Black, 23, and Donna Wilson, 23, both from Elderslie, were invited to sit on the preliminary judging panel for the Philip Lawrence Awards after their own success in a previous year.

The awards, set up by Philip Lawrence's widow Frances after her headteacher husband was murdered in 1995, strive to support the differences young people make in their local communities and to reward them for excellent citizenship and overcoming cultural differences.

The pair, who have both taken part in the judging process before, were part of a 15 strong panel that sifted through thousands of entries from across the UK to determine which 20 of them will go through to the grand final to be judged in December.

Jennifer says she feels privileged to still be involved: "There are so many groups of young people all over the UK that are making a difference in their community.

"It's amazing to read some of the nomination forms - I'm in complete awe of these young people that are challenging the status quo."

A previous award winner herself, Jennifer knows what it feels like to be involved in a project which had a positive influence on her community.

She and Donna were both part of a team from Castlehead High School who won a Philip Lawrence Award in 2003 for their paired reading scheme - matching first year students to senior pupils for two lunchtimes a week to improve their reading age and confidence.

Jennifer, who has retained friends from all over the country through meeting them at the event, said: "Although we all come from different backgrounds and cultures, we all have that one thing in common - we have all made a difference in our community."

The scheme has supported more than 1000 young people since 1997 and has helped reduce crime in over 80 different communities nationwide through its messages of social inclusion and acceptance.

Fellow judge, and award winning team member Donna shares Jennifer's passion about the scheme, and hopes to remain involved in it for years to come.

She said: "The Philip Lawrence Awards are unlike many award schemes that exist.

"It's for young people, and the winners are selected by young people.

"These awards recognise and reward the many groups of youths who are active in their communities.

"All too often young people are demonised and do not warrant the blanket negative stereotype that they are given."

Donna added: "I'm privileged to be involved in such a prestigious awards scheme and I share Philip Lawrence's belief that every child is capable of greatness."

This article appeared in The Gazette 14 Oct 09

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