Children and Young People's Champion Award
An individual or organisation that has positively contributed towards improving the lives of children and young people within the borough through educational, childcare, sporting or recreational activities.
This could range from teachers and governors to child carers and mentors.
Prize– Luxury Food Hamper
Donated by – Marks and Spencer Doncaster
Winner
Marion Wakesmith receives her award
Marion Wakesmith
As a foster carer Marion, with her husband Martin, provides vulnerable children a warm, loving, stable and very supportive home life.
She truly puts her whole heart into making a positive difference to the lives of young people, encouraging those she looks after to pursue their own interests so that they can learn new skills and have a positive outlet for their energy.
This has recently seen one young person who pursued an interest in cadets joining the Army, providing excellent career opportunities and an ideal transition from care to independent living.
Marion is committed to making a difference to the lives of Doncaster’s disadvantaged children and has helped over 50 children so far. She is an example of how fostering and foster carers can change life-chances for looked after children.
Finalists
Children and Young People's Champion Finalists
Colin Findley
A much-loved member of the Rossington community, Colin is actively involved in engaging young people in sports and he does this with infectious, heart-felt enthusiasm and commitment, regularly working above and beyond his hours to run activities.
Colin has an inclusive approach that caters for all ages and abilities. He is leader of the Rossington Disabled Sports Group and he encourages whole families to take part in activities together, creating a fun and productive environment for fitness.
A role model and mentor, Colin easily builds a rapport with members and uses his influence to teach people respect for themselves and others, always providing an opportunity to discuss wider issues from healthy eating to bullying.
Ann Houghton
Chair of Governors for Adwick Washington Infants, Ann is a fantastic ambassador for the school and regularly attends Governor training to keep herself informed.
Despite ill health, Ann works within the school every week, making a special point of supporting children with difficulties and encouraging a 'can do' attitude.
Working tirelessly for the school, Ann dresses up for curriculum weeks, takes part in cultural dance activities, runs the cake stall for fund raising events, helps on school visits, takes on general duties in the office and helps with displays around school.
Barbara Reddington
Barbara is an inspirational teacher at Intake Primary School. For many years she has created a lively, imaginative and loving environment for young children to begin their education. Several generations of families in Intake remember with fondness their first years at school with Mrs Reddington.
She reaches out into the community to help parents engage with the school, to local businesses to gain sponsorship and donations of materials for projects, she shares her experience through the education community through forums and networking.
Mrs Reddington, assisted by her husband Jim, and Miss Keep, the nursery nurse, puts in unpaid hours over weekends and holidays to transform the nursery into different themed environments such as a seaside scene or a magical wood. The creativity and commitment Barbara shows is an example to us all.
