Youngsters enjoy award ceremony (From Penarth Times)

Youngsters enjoy award ceremony

PENARTH youngsters have been given recognition for their endeavours in helping each other.

The Vale Youth Awards of 2002 celebrated young people's achievements for the first time this year.

More than 150 young people attended the event held at Barry Memorial Hall in November.

The awards were organised by the Vale Youth Forum which is funded by the Vale Council.

Vale forum was set up in 1996 to put the views of young people across to adults.

A winner on the night Ryian Mohamed, 15, goes to Westbourne School in Penarth. She said: "It was great to win something for the work at The Information Shop in Penarth. I am the publicity officer for a lot of the events.

"At the moment I am producing leaflets for other young people.

We as a group run the shop and make all the decisions."

All the participants will help in some way and are encouraged to get involved with projects.

Young people were presented with certificates for their endeavours.

Along with Ryian, Lisa-Marie Fundalski, Rhys Brinkworth, Simon Brinkworth and Darren Richards won for their involvement in the Funkymitee at the Information Shop.

Many dignitaries such as Chairman of the Vale Council Harold Rees attended the ceremony.

Area youth officer for Dinas and Penarth, Andy Borsden who is separate from the Information Shop said: "I changed my career to start this job. I like to see young people getting the recognition they deserve for their achievements.

"In the Dinas Powys and Penarth area in particular there is not enough to occupy young people.

Which means they find other things not so good to do."

He added that it was wonderful to emphasise the positive side of young people today rather than all the negative.

The centre in Dinas helps with every aspect of life in the world today, such as assisting youngsters to prepare CVs and helping with health issues.