Awards honour for outstanding work of blind and deaf teenager Liam (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Awards honour for outstanding work of blind and deaf teenager Liam
11:00am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News
By Chris Tate, T&A Reporter
Liam Mackin, who has just won an Over the Rainbow award
Talented blind and deaf teenager Liam Mackin has won a prestigious award for his outstanding work with charity The Children’s Society in transforming the lives of disadvantaged children.
The 18-year-old, from Shipley, proudly received his award at the fifth annual Over the Rainbow Awards, held in Gaydon, Warwickshire, where he goes to school.
The event last weekend was organised by The Children’s Society and formally recognises the outstanding work by children and young people who are involved with the charity.
Using money from The Children’s Society’s Pot of Gold scheme – where young people manage and allocate funding to other children and young people – Liam worked with The Children’s Society’s LEAP project in Leeds to raise awareness about disability. He has also been running life skill workshops for disabled young people and has set up his own company offering training to parents, carers and others who help the blind or partially-sighted.
Speaking after the ceremony Liam said: “Working with The Children’s Society has been an amazing experience and one which has allowed me to give something back to the people who have made such a difference to my life.”
Last year he was presented with an award for Best Positive Role Model for Disabilities at the National Diversity Awards 2012.
A keen Scrabble player, he also won a charity competition in Shipley last year using braille letter tablets.
Mathew Reed, Chief Executive at The Children’s Society, presented Liam with his latest prize and said: “Liam is an outstanding ambassador for the charity and should be extremely proud of what he has achieved.
“His tireless work is making a real difference to the lives of other children and young people. It was an honour to present Liam with his much-deserved award.”
More than 90 children and young people attended the fun-filled day, which included Henna painting, a Samba band, DJ workshop, mask making and archery.
The event was organised by The Children’s Society’s Pot of Gold Committee – a group of young people who, through The Children’s Society, allocate money to enable children and young people to organise activities on issues that are of concern to them, in their local area.
