Nottinghamshire County Council have announced that student, Megan Towers is one of seven inspirational Nottinghamshire young people who have overcome severe health challenges or go the extra mile for others that will be recognised at a prestigious youth awards evening later this month.
Megan has already been named as the district winner for Gedling for Nottinghamshire County Council’s Outstanding Achievement 4Uth Award for 2023 and will be honoured at the annual final at County Hall on Friday 24 November – where an overall winner will be announced.
The 4Uth Awards are a County Council initiative to celebrate the achievements of young people across the county.
Megan, 15, deals with challenging health issues with dignity and bravery and has become a positive mentor for her peers at The Loco young people’s centre in Netherfield.
She has grown in confidence since attending the Spotlight Theatre Group in Netherfield, which has led to her performing three roles in a production of Matilda at the Nottingham Arts Theatre.
Megan also plays a key role in a dance project at the young people’s centre, where she encourages other youngsters to take part.
Andy Foulds, a youth worker at The Loco young people’s centre, explains: “Megan benefits a lot from discussing her challenges with youth support workers.
“I have known her for several years now and her development brings me great happiness professionally. The youth club is a great outlet for her.
“Megan continues to face challenges in her life, but I am impressed at the mature, considerate, and helpful young person she is becoming.
“She continues to develop and, as we approach her exams year, this award would give her a great boost.
“We will work alongside her in offering support when she makes her post-16 choices, which seem to be heading down the road of performing arts.
“It’s not easy being a teenager at the best of times but Megan faces up to things with a sense of humour, determination, and self-sufficiency. She is an inspiration.”
Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, and council chairman, Cllr John Ogle, will join around 100 guests for the glittering event which is now in its 12th year.
Family and friends of each of the finalists and members of the youth service will also be in attendance, where videos charting the inspirational stories of all seven young people will be showcased.
Cllr Taylor said: “The 4Uth Awards are a fantastic way to recognise and celebrate this amazing group of young people from across Nottinghamshire.
“Our finalists can be very proud of what they have achieved and the hurdles they have overcome growing up. I am really looking forward to meeting all of them at the awards evening and hearing about their remarkable stories.”
There were around 70 young people nominated – with entries received from friends, family members, youth workers and people who work in a range of voluntary, public sector and other organisations.
Judging panels in each district decided the winners from three nominations in each area, and a separate judging panel assessed the final seven.
The full list of district winners from around Nottinghamshire are as follows:
- Broxtowe – Leah Choleton – nominated by Paul Bailey
- Bassetlaw – Edward Robinson – nominated by Heather Cowley
- Ashfield – Shayden West – nominated by Zoe Taylor
- Rushcliffe – Jamie Thorley – nominated by Emma Betteridge
- Mansfield – Mia Louise Smith – nominated by Jane Penistone
- Gedling – Megan Towers – nominated by Andy Foulds
- Newark and Sherwood – Reece Martin – nominated by Laura Burrows
The full release from Nottinghamshire County Council including information on all district winners can be accessed HERE.
