Recognition for community champion
A dedicated volunteer from Ipswich is today celebrating after winning recognition for her work to improve race relations in the town.
IPSWICH: A dedicated volunteer from Ipswich is today celebrating after winning recognition for her work to improve race relations in the town.
Shelly LittleJohn was chosen as a runner up in the Suffolk Young Person of the Year Competition, announced on Sunday.
The 23-year-old was picked for her work at the Waterfront Community Centre along with her efforts in organising the Respect Festival in September to celebrate diversity in the town.
She said: “I am really pleased. It was lovely to have that recognition.
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“It is nice to know the work I'm doing is hopefully making a difference.”
Shelley, who lives in Ipswich, was one of a handful of young people nominated for the awards, sponsored by Suffolk Police Authority.
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She said: “I have always wanted to work with people and make their lives a bit easier.”
Shelly won �100 which she intends to share with the Waterfront Community Centre, which provides guidance and support for disadvantaged members of society.
A group of nine teenagers aged between 14 and 15 from Shotley also won �100 in the awards after they shot a film about the lack of amenities in their village and secured a grant of �19,500 from Suffolk County Council to fund youth facilities for a year.
Students from Mildenhall College of Technology won the top prize of �1,000 for their work to tackle racism in their community through their group, Diverse and Equal Voices (DEV).
This was the first time the awards had been held in Suffolk to celebrate young, unsung heroes and to correct the negative image of youngsters in the media.
Shelly said: “The awards are all about inspiring young people.
“We want to get the message across that not all youngsters are yobs.”
Do you know a young person who deserves an award? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
