Shine a light on young stars of Southport

The annual Sefton Shining Stars award is on the horizon and the charity organisers are starting to look for the borough’s most inspirational children and young people.

Now in its eleventh year, the popular ceremony, organised by Sefton CVS, is held to celebrate the contribution made by children to community life, outside of the normal school curriculum areas.

The awards will be presented to deserving youngsters up to the age of 16 at a high-profile event at Bootle Town Hall on Tuesday, December 12.

But first organisers need to find nominees, and locals are invited to put forward anyone they think are deserving of an award.

Shining Stars organiser, Joanne Lee, said: “These awards give everyone in the borough the opportunity to celebrate our children’s achievements in a positive, warm and unique way.

“Over the last 11 years they have also become a great motivation for children and young people, and for those who support and work with them.”

Children can be nominated for one or more of ten awards, including the top honour of Sefton’s Shiniest Star.

Other categories will recognise achieving and caring, volunteering and community spirit, children who inspire change, fundraising success and the young achiever of the year.

Further honours will go to children who have excelled in changing attitudes, bravery and participation as well as  the borough’s young personality of the year for 2017. Previous Shining Stars Awards have put the spotlight on some wonderful achievements by Sefton’s children and young people,” added Joanne.

“We’re hoping for a bumper crop of nominations to help us make the 2017 awards the best year yet.”

Joanne also pointed out that children and young people play a vital role in planning and organising the awards ceremony, and also as hosts and performers on the night.

For more information about the awards and a nomination form contact the Shining Stars team on 0151 920 0726, or email shiningstars@seftoncvs. org.uk.

The closing date for nominations this year is midnight on Friday, November 3.