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Bristol’s unsung young heroes celebrated at annual awards ceremony
Bristol Young Heroes Awards has returned for its 11th iteration recognising the city’s inspiring young individuals representing the breadth of the city.
The annual awards ceremony was organised by Community of Purpose, an award-winning south Bristol-based social enterprise spearheaded by Amy Kington.
“These young people make me proud to be a Bristolian,” said Kington, the founder and chief executive.
Bristol Young Heroes Awards aim to shine a light on young individuals who have overcome difficult circumstances and made a difference to others.
The event recognised the remarkable achievements and contributions of city’s young heroes under 12 categories
The event was held at the Bristol Harbour Hotel on Friday and was attended by 300 people including young people, their well wishers, event sponsors and local dignitaries.
The overall young winner of this year’s awards was Barney Thomas who has raised almost £10,000 for the Grand Appeal who credits Bristol Children’s Hospital for allowing him the quality of life he now enjoys after undergoing two surgeries before his first birthday.
The High Sheriff’s Award went to Tremaine Wright for showing exceptional dedication to youth services.
We had an amazing night supporting the @commsofpurpose Bristol Young Hero’s Awards.
Congratulations to all the inspirational young people that were nominated. #MoreThanWater pic.twitter.com/tEpzt3YZQW
— Bristol Water (@BristolWater) July 9, 2024
While all winners thoroughly deserved their recognition, some stories stood out such as that of Muhammad Uriakhel who arrived in England with next to little English as a young asylum seeker but his teachers have described him a “pleasure” to teach due to his unquenchable desire to learn and grow.
The event was also attended by winners of previous years and mentees who shared their experience with Community of Purpose over the years.
One such returner was Maddie who has completed her second year of medicine at the University of Sussex. Speaking to Bristol24/7, she said: “Community of Purpose are truly the most wonderful company that works so hard for the young people in Bristol.
“And it’s truly an organisation, but the people are at the centre. It’s not tokenistic. They genuinely care so much about these young people.”
Also speaking to Bristol24/7, the winner of the overall category last year, Mitchell who said: “I’ve been attending for nearly eight years. They help me overcome struggles like I did when I was younger.
“Winning The Overall Hero Award last year made me so shocked and so happy. I was actually getting noticed, but now I turn up today like a guest is very special.”
Kardi Tyler-Gordon, winner of the Enterprise Hero category, said: “This has given me a huge boost in my self esteem in general. You can get awarded for pretty much any good deed that you do in this world.”
Maddie has lauded Community of Purpose for “never giving up on young people”
Kington added: “Tonight we’ve hosted the Bristol Young Heroes award for the 11th year. It’s been an incredible night. We’ve had incredible presenters.
“They’ve all had stellar careers presenting to Bristol’s finest young people, and we’ve all worked tirelessly, overcoming adversity, you know, and difficult circumstances to achieve greatness.
“And I’m just a really proud Bristolian tonight because we’ve been able to celebrate these lives and these futures.
“And I’m just so excited about what their next chapter looks like.”
“I’m just a really proud Bristolian tonight because we’ve been able to celebrate these lives and these futures,” said Amy Kington, founder and chief executive of Community of Purpose
The full list of winners are as follows:
- Action Hero: Oscar McKee
- Arts & Culture Hero: Lara Udul
- Caring Hero: Toby and Sean Smith
- Enterprise Hero: Kardi Tyler-Gordon
- Environmental Hero: Isabelle Moyston-Jones
- Fundraising Hero: Luna Stevens
- Learning Hero: Muhammad Uriakhel
- Sporting Hero: Darya (Dasha) Surautsava
- Super Hero: Missie Taylor
- Team of Heroes: BS14 Youth Club – Looked after Children
- Overall Hero: Barney Thomas
- High Sheriff’s Award: Tremaine Wright
All photos: Milan Perera
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