A teenager from Calverton is amongst a group of seven young people from across the county being recognised for their outstanding achievements at an awards ceremony later this month.
Cameron Lei-Ford was one of 80 young people nominated this year for Nottinghamshire County Council’s 4Uth Awards with the winners being voted for by more than 65,000 people on social media.
The 15-year-old was recently announced as district winner for Gedling and will now also be in the running for countywide winner.
He was nominated for the award by youth worker Mohammed Yaseen who is based at Calverton Young People’s Centre which Cameron attends.
Mr Yaseen revealed he nominated Cameron for overcoming a number of personal problems before going on to successfully help other young people in his local community by setting up a successful social enterprise.
He said: “For many years Cameron had experienced bullying because of being overweight. He struggled with poor self-image and his academic performance deteriorated and he was seen by youth workers to be behaving in an anti-social way more and more.
“With support from youth workers, Cameron became involved in community clean-ups. He started with his own street and then parts of his wider neighbourhood.
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“He has since volunteered to tidy up local elderly people’s gardens and, inspired by his uncle, he has established a social enterprise to help young people earn money at weekends and holiday periods.
“The aims of his social enterprise include tackling social problems caused by youth unemployment and anti-social behaviour, improving community spirit and pride in public spaces, and improving young people’s life chances and the environment.”
Cameron, who lives at home with mum Jessica and a brother, Luca, eight; has also shed over three stones in weight since adopting a healthier lifestyle and outlook.
He has significantly improved his academic performance and also undertakes care responsibilities for his younger brother.
Councillor Liz Plant, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It is wonderful news to hear that Cameron is turning a hobby into a social enterprise. His idea is helping so many people in his local community with gardening and landscaping and we are very pleased to announce that he has been named as the Gedling district winner of the annual 4Uth awards.”
Cameron will receive his award at County Hall on Friday, October 28. On the same evening the overall countywide winner will also be announced.
