Two Leeds United legends were on hand when the quest to find Yorkshire’s young achievers in 2014 began with a reception at Harrogate’s Hotel du Vin this month.
The Awards, sponsored by McCormicks Solicitors of Harrogate, recognise outstanding young people in the region aged under 35 who have made an impact, whether nationally, regionally or locally. To date the Awards have raised more than £1 million for young people in Yorkshire.
Awards Chairman Peter McCormick OBE said: The reason for the Awards is twofold: we recognise and reward the achievements and efforts of young people who are making their mark in some way but at the same time we also raise funds to help other young people in Yorkshire to achieve their own successes, whether that is through improving their lives or helping them to attain an ambition.
We have had some terrific winners of the Awards in the past. I am confident there are many young people who deserve recognition this year and we want to hear about them! It doesn’t matter whether they are world famous or are known only within their own community. What is important is that they have had an impact because of their talent, fortitude or determination to achieve a better life.
During the reception, a grant was presented to young wheelchair athlete Josh Gardner. Josh, who lost the use of his legs aged nine, plays wheelchair basketball and rugby and needed a new, lighter, sports chair to enable him to progress.
The Awards are open to young people who live, work or were born in Yorkshire and celebrate achievements in the fields of business, sport, education and the arts, in overcoming adversity and achieving fame and fortune. There is an Unsung Hero award as well as a Youngster of the Year to celebrate the achievement of a child under 12.
Nomination forms for the 2014 Yorkshire Young Achievers’ Awards are available on the Awards website at www.yorkshireyoungachievers.co.uk or by ringing Sonia Jones at McCormicks Solicitors on 01423 530630.
The closing date for entries is Friday 19 September 2014. The winners will be announced at the Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards dinner on Thursday 20 November 2014 at the Leeds United Conference and Exhibition Centre. Tickets for the dinner are also now on sale and are available through the website.
