A 21-year-old student from Steeton gained a Millennium Volunteer Award for sport at the Yorkshire and Humberside awards ceremony last Thursday.

Trisha Bennett, who goes to Craven College, was up against more than 100 young people who had been nominated for seven awards to be given out on the evening, at the Queen's Hotel in Leeds.

Trisha gained the award for organising sports such as football, cricket and badminton at the Wednesday club for people with learning difficulties, which is held in Keighley Leisure Centre.

She has been a volunteer at the club for three years and is now chairman of its committee.

This has led to her accumulating over 200 hours of volunteering, which enabled her to be nominated for the award by the Bradford Millennium Volunteers organiser, Mich-aela Gill.

Trisha said: "I was amazed when my name was read out as one of the award winners. I really did not believe it was me they were talking about.

"It is great to receive recognition for something you enjoy doing. I would wish to encourage any young person to think about becoming a volunteer as it is so rewarding."

Volunteering has always been something Trisha wanted to get involved in, and when she finishes her course in animal care at the college she hopes to work for the RSPCA and also do youth work in her spare time.

Millennium Volunteers is aimed at young people aged 16 to 24 who want to give up their free time and work within local communities.

It is a national movement with 130 Millennium Volun-teer projects established around England, based in local volunteering centres, schools or colleges.

Any young people who would like to join Bradford Millennium Volunteers can contact Michaela on 01274 737266.

Further information about what it's like to be a volunteer can be obtained from Trisha on 01535 654065 or 07707 455082.