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Lions Clubs International - District 105M - Midland News

Ordinary People doing Amazing Things


 



Charlotte’s web of good deeds honoured 

 

District 105M Youth Chairman Lion Hary Fry and Young Ambassador Officer Jimmy Hill with Charlotte Smith
 

Charlotte Smith, sponsored by Birchwood Lions Club, has won the coveted MD105 Lions’ Young Ambassador Award for her community service activities. Dedicated Charlotte has supported a number of organisations and individuals within her community as well as travelling to South Africa on several occasions to volunteer as a teacher within orphanages.

 

Held on the eve of National Student Volunteering Week, the final of the MD105 Young Ambassador showcased the voluntary efforts of young people within the UK and Ireland highlighting their compassion, enthusiasm, dedication and thoughtfulness. It may surprise you to know that 57% of 16-24 year olds commit to voluntary service, yet 76% of press coverage about young people is negative and 39% of adults who participated in a 2008 Vinspired survey were unaware of the good things that young people do. The Young Ambassador Competition offers a fantastic opportunity to redress the balance by highlighting and celebrating the positive activities and achievements of the majority of young people.



Young Ambassadors with the Mayor of Dudley and his Consort
 

Charlotte, one of thirteen finalists, summed up her feelings about voluntary service saying, “People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. The most rewarding thing, for me, is knowing that I have helped someone else and had an opportunity to work hard at something and achieve my goal.” She wins a £1000 bursary and will now represent MD105 at the Europa finals later in the year.

 

This year’s Shipeshape Award donated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust was won by Fiona Montgomery, aged 15, sponsored by Letchworth GC and Baldock Lions Club. Fiona who herself has a disability, volunteers at the North Herts Boccia Club as a Team Manager for the Junior Boccia Team whose members have a range of physical disabilities. Fiona spoke about how volunteering had helped her to become more confident and said that she hoped that her work benefitted the young team as much as it benefitted her. Speaking about the members of the Junior Boccia team, Fiona said that, “It is amazing to see just how much their coordination skills, confidence and teamwork have improved over the past few months….I would love to continue this on into the future.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the Judges, Lead Judge Geraldine O’Dwyer, said that all the contestants had proved to be amazing young people and every one of them was a winner.



Lion George Billingham and Liam Barrett
 

Our own 105M contestant Liam Barrett sponsored by Marston Green and District Lions Club spoke about his enthusiasm for the service he carries out in the community. Liam, who hopes to study Medicine at University, also impressed the Judges with the quality and expanse of his community involvement ranging from being a Young Leader in a local Scout Group, through volunteering at the Birmingham Russian School to his main community involvement helping at a Care Home and local hospital as an Arts Volunteer. Liam told the audience that being able to relieve patients’ minds from illness through arts activities was something that he really valued and the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of hundreds of people each week was a motivating factor to his volunteering.



Front Row Centre International First Vice President Lion Wayne Madden
 

International First Vice President Lion Wayne Madden summed up the feelings of all present stating that the young finalists were inspirational and their acts of service amazing.



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