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Nottinghamshire SkillsTrain Young People of the Year (YOPEYS)

Another YOPEY award ceremony, sponsored by SkillsTrain took place on Friday 23 November 2007 at the Arena In Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire dignitaries, including the High Sheriff of Nottingham, selected the most deserving youngsters to win the first Nottinghamshire YOPEYS.

SkillsTrain CEO Jan Telensky was present at the awards and praised the efforts of the YOPEY winners as shining examples to other young people. In addition to the cash prizes, Mr Telensky presented two surprise special awards of a laptop computer and a holiday to AquaCity.

Other winners received cash prizes, half of the value given to the winners' nominated charities, as well as YOPEY watches for all finalists.

The Nottinghamshire Judges
Commander Peter Moore, High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire


Steve Green, Chief Constable, Nottinghamshire Constabulary
The Hon Cllr Joan Taylor, Vice Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council
Cllr Jeannie Packer, The Sheriff of Nottingham
Cllr Tony Roberts, Leader, Newark & Sherwood District Council
Cllr Mrs Jenny Spencer, Mayor of Gedling
Cllr Harry Toseland, Chairman, Ashfield District Council
Cllr Wendy Quigley, Chairman of Bassetlaw District Council
Cllr Jim Holland, Mayor of Retford Town Council
Patrick Mercer OBE, MP for Newark
Mrs Jane Farr MBE, Vice Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire
Catherine O'Riordan, Nottinghamshire Police Authority Member
Jan Telensky, sponsor, SkillsTrain
Youth Judges aged up to 25
David Thompson, Winner, Broxbourne YOPEY ’07 and Runner-up, Herts YOPEY ‘07
Louise Betley, Finalist, Luton & South Beds YOPEY ‘07
Rosemary King, Finalist, Watford YOPEY ‘07
Young people put forward by City of Nottingham Council


FANTASTIC FINALISTS IN SKILLSTRAIN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE YOPEY
Thomas Dallison, 16, trains other youngsters at martial art
Joanne Galazka, 18, cares for sick mum and three siblings
Garibaldi peer mentors, ages 15-16, tackling bullying in their school
Laura Hall, 23, and Daniel Patrick, 24, befriend autistic boys and take them out
Daniel Hegarty, 21, leading light in motorcycle club that stops anti-social behaviour
Mitchell Johnson, 17, turns his life around and is helping others at cadets and in hostel
Kerry Knight, 16, encouraging children at school to lead healthier lives
Louise Parker, 18, Guide who does not stop giving at home and abroad
Jade Phillips, 14, has a life-threatening liver disease and is helping fellow sufferers
Adam Pickering, 19, raised over £5,000 for charity by organising two music events
Carl Russell, 17, former ‘monster’ now volunteering on youth programmes
Self Second Group, ages 15-16, learned to put others first through work in community

And the winners:
The first prize went to Daniel Hegarty. Daniel won £500 and £500 for his charity Rev to Go.
First prize for the Junior winners was Joanne Galezka. Joanne won £250 and £250 went to Nottingham Action for Young Carers
Runners up Mitchell Johnson, Laura Hall and Daniel Patrick won £125 each and £125 for Framework Housing Association.
Kerry Knight won the laptop and Adam Pickering won a week’s holiday for two at Aquacity in Poprad, Slovakia.

Every finalist received a SkillsTrain YOPEY watch presented by Jan Telensky.