Entertainment and sport stars honour Bradford's talented and courageous (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Entertainment and sport stars honour Bradford's talented and courageous

9:30am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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An inspiring crop of talented young people, some of who have overcome heart-wrenching adversity, celebrated their bright futures at St George’s Hall, in Bradford, tonight.

Famous faces from the worlds of sport and entertainment joined high-profile decision makers at the district’s Young Citizen Awards where the cream of the next generation of young people were cast into the spotlight.

An audience of the nominees’ families and friends saw 13 awards handed out to winners across seven categories in two age groups.

Organised by Bradford Council and backed by The Telegraph & Argus, the awards recognise outstanding young people aged up to 25.

The highest honour, the Outstanding Achievement Award, was presented to Hanson School pupil Matthew Cairns-Poole, 14, by TV news presenter Christa Ackroyd.

Matthew won for his dedication and determination despite his mother’s health problems which have left her hospitalised.

He has been a rock to his father and sister at their home in Swain House, and is vice-chairman of Young Enterprise at school and Bradford North representative on Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament.

He said: “This is absolutely amazing. My mum is in hospital, for the past few years she has been in permanently. I think she will be really proud of me.”

His father Richard Poole, 41, said: “He deserves it. He works so hard. He had a crisis of confidence previously but it makes all the tears and hard work worthwhile.”

Emmerdale stars Matthew Wolfenden and Verity Rushworth, Coronation Street’s Nikki Patel and Mikey North, and Bradford City and Bulls players presented awards to other winners.

Nine-year-old Slovakian, Kristian Nenet, has acted as an interpreter to other children at Green Lane Primary, Ben Bennet, 16, Sajjad Mohammed, 11, and James Sell, nine, have overcome behavioural problems while Daniel Reid beat shyness to lead the way at Denholme Youth Cafe.

Grade A student Sabah Afzhal maintained her high standards despite the sudden death of her father and Mohammed Ali Hassan, who has epilepsy and moderate learning difficulties cares for his sisters who have complex disabilities.

Councillor Michael Kelly, the Council’s executive member for services to children and young people, said he was impressed by the “selfless devotion” of the winners.