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Phillip Lawrence Awards

Posted by jeopreddy from Neath Port Talbot - Published on 11/04/2010 at 14:45
1 comments » - Tagged as People, Volunteering

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Yn Gymraeg

The Philip Lawrence Awards 2010 are now open for entries.

The awards were set up in memory of Philip Lawrence, who was killed outside his school trying to defend a pupil from a gang attack in 1995. Phillip Lawrence believed that "every young person is capable of greatness."

Frances Lawrence, the widow of the head-teacher, set up the awards to champion young people doing well and to recognise the brilliance of today’s youth. Frances' motivation to establish the awards was rewarded and the organisation was created in 1997, receiving funding from the Home Secretary, Michael Howard.

Each year, the Home Office has been a great support to the awards. Not only does the Philip Lawrence Awards Network (PLANET) receive funding but also this year The Department For Children, Schools And Families are also contributing financially.

Frances is a big inspiration to me and I admire how she supports young people. She stated that “We want to challenge the awful assumption that young people don’t contribute to our communities. We know they offer fantastic energy, ideas and commitment to make changes in their communities – making lives better for them and other young people.”

The Phillip Lawrence Awards give recognition to deserving youth by rewarding their project with £1000, an invitation to the swanky ceremony in London, local and national recognition of their greatness and an amazing opportunity to be a part of the PLANET fellowship.

From personal experience, I would recommend if you have a project, to enter the awards as it has created many opportunities for me. I am now on the PLANET Lead Fellowship, which saw me venturing to Birmingham to meet other previous winners.

Also, the award ceremony left me ecstatic. I met members from Flava, previous contestants that featured on Britain’s Got Talent, and Trevor McDonald hosted the event. Neath Port Talbot Youth Council's award was presented by Ed Balls and the Rt Hon Alan Johnson.

I can’t put it into words how much I appreciate the awards. For more information about how to enter, visit: www.philiplawrenceawards.net.