Young Scots search for young stars
Published 17 Jan 2012 08:30
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Young Scot, the national youth information and citizenship agency for Scotland, wants to hear about inspirational young people from East Ayrshire who have made a real difference in your local area. Nominations are now open for the Young Scot Awards 2012, sponsored by The Co-operative Foundation, which celebrate the achievements of 11 - 26 year olds who have made a positive impact on the lives of others.
Young Scot has worked in partnership with the Sunday Mail since 2006 to tell the inspiring stories of young Scots across the country. The charity is urging the public to nominate now before the closing date on 26th February.
There are 13 categories from Sport, Arts and Health to Enterprise, Heritage and Volunteering, with nominations open to individuals and groups aged from 11-26. Three finalists in each of the 13 categories will be selected and will be invited to the glittering awards ceremony in Hilton Glasgow Hotel on 26th April where the winners will be revealed.
Louise Macdonald, CEO of Young Scot, said: "The Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards are the perfect opportunity to recognise and celebrate hard working, passionate and entrepreneurial young people across the country. By sharing these positive stories we can help challenge negative perceptions of youth and celebrate the real truth about Scotland's young people. That's why we are encouraging everyone who knows an inspirational young person to get their nominations in now to help us give those young people the recognition they deserve."
Michael Fairclough, Head of Community and Co-operative Investment for The Co-operative Group, said: "We are really proud and excited to support, once again, The Young Scot Awards and the many young people involved in it. 'Inspiring young people' continues to form a major part of The Co-operative's revolutionary ethical plan which directly benefits over 300,000 young people each year and - primarily - aims to bring about a cultural shift in the way that young people are viewed and treated in the UK. This is a great opportunity for young people in Scotland to be recognised for their passion, talent, commitment to communities and to showcase their outstanding achievements to the whole country."
Last year, the overall winner at the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2011was young climate change campaigner, Megan MacDonald, who scooped the Environment Award. The teenager is closely involved with a campaign spearheaded by Oxfam Scotland to encourage action on climate change, including work to encourage the go-ahead for a barrier to hold back the rising Atlantic. Megan is a great ambassador and embodies what it means to be a young Scot.
Megan MacDonald, said: "Winning the Young Scot Awards was a wonderful accolade and I am so proud of this achievement. It reinforces that my hard work is really making a difference. People across Scotland should get nominating their young stars and give them the recognition they deserve."
Allan Rennie, editor in chief of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, said: "We are delighted to launch the search for Scotland's most inspirational young people and proud to help honour their exceptional talent, commitment, and compassion."
For further information and to nominate a young person or group, please visit www.youngscotawards.co.uk before 26th February 2012.
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