2020 marks the 13th anniversary of the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards. The awards are organised by BBC Somerset and the Rotary Club of Taunton with sponsorship by Bridgwater & Taunton College, Carly Press Ltd, Young Somerset and the Avon and Somerset Constabulary with the support of Somerset Day and Tone News.
The awards celebrate young people across Somerset who have done something in the last 12 months to make their family, friends or community proud.
From achievements in the arts, sport, music or academically to caring for others and the environment, to overcoming personal adversity and hardship and making a difference to their community through volunteering: the awards recognise ANY young people in the county who display tremendous generosity, courage, talent and passion. There are no specific categories for the awards.
Lead organiser Rotarian Peter Renshaw said
There have been some amazing young people over the last 12 years and The Rotary Club of Taunton is proud to be able to celebrate the achievements of young people in Somerset and we are pleased that they are being recognised as part of the Somerset Day celebrations.
This year’s ceremony will take place in the Conference Centre at our Taunton Campus on Wednesday 6th May and will be hosted by BBC Somerset presenters Claire Carter and Simon Parkin.
Claire says:
I am always blown away by the stories we unearth we these awards. I believe now – more than ever – we not only need to encourage future generations to be passionate about what they love and achieve as much as they can, but also shine a light on what they do and make a fuss of them!! It’s a privilege to host the event and be in the room with such inspiring youngsters.
The President of Taunton Rotary Club, the Rev’d Tony Cox, also spoke of his own enthusiasm for the scheme,
The Pride of Somerset Youth Awards evening is a highlight in the Rotary Club’s calendar. Every year we attract an amazing selection of very special young people from across the County. Each nominee is a hero in their own right and it is a privilege to be able to shine a light on their outstanding achievement. The triumph over adversity shown by some of the winners is humbling and it means so much to them and their families to be acknowledged in this way. I’m so excited about being part of it all this year!
Applications for the awards open are now open and all entries must be submitted by 12th April. Nominees must live in Somerset and be under the age of 20 on 31st March 2020.
If you’d like to nominate a young person please send their full name, age, school/college (where appropriate), postal address, and contact phone number(s), along with a maximum of 200 words detailing their accomplishments to explain why they deserve a Pride of Somerset Youth Award. Please include your own name and contact details. Please email applications to somerset@bbc.co.uk
BBC Somerset will be broadcasting interviews with some of the winners live from the awards evening.
For more information please contact BBC Somerset: somerset@bbc.co.uk or Adrian Prior-Sankey, Taunton Rotary Club PRO: Adrianjps@aol.com
