Outstanding Young Volunteer - Nominees

When Joshua, of Whalley Road, Wilpshire, was given a high-tech games system as a present he was thrilled. But his delight soon turned to disappointment when he realised he could not use it properly because his home village did not have an internet broadband connection.

Not to be deterred the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School pupil began his own campaign for action by BT bosses.

He was told he needed at least 400 people to sign up for broadband connection before they would invest the £200,000 needed for the change over - and he rose to the challenge with gusto.

The benefits of broadband include a permanent internet connection which is available on a standard telephone line but means one person can use the internet while another is on the phone.

It also offers instant internet access and allows files to be sent faster and downloaded much quicker.

Joshua , now 11, arranged for leaflets highlighting these benefits to be printed and distributed to residents and businesses throughout the area.

He took leaflets to the local post office for distribution by putting them in newspapers and targeted villagers and businesses through canvassing, a stall in the village and door to door visits.

Through hard work and sheer determination between January and May this year he persuaded the required 400 people to sign up for broadband so that BT would switch over the Wilpshire exchange.

Now Joshua, who has since moved up to Ribblesdale High School, is able to play games and chat on line with his older brothers who live in Manchester and Canterbury.

And thousands of others served by Wilpshire telephone exchange have had the option to benefit from the service since July 30.

The chief executive of BT even paid tribute to Joshua as the youngest campaigner in the country.

Dad Peter said: "Joshua organised, motivated and brow beat people in to signing up for broadband.

"The campaign lasted over eight months. In wind and rain Joshua visited every address in the Wilpshire exchange area delivering leaflets. He stood outside shops and asked people to support him.

"The people and businesses of Wilpshire have a lot to thank Joshua for.

"Businesses can be a lot more competitive because of broadband. Residents can work more easily from home. Game players like Joshua can play games with other people throughout the world to their heart's content."

Ben Verwaayeb, BT's chief executive, said: "Joshua's campaign has been truly outstanding. He has captured the imagination of his local community.

"He is the first youngster we have come across who has launched this kind of initiative and we congratulate him."

It's the dawn of a new era for Stacey. TWO years ago when Stacey Barnes began attending an after school club she was the type of person who would challenge authority and answer back.

But Stacey, now 15, has changed dramatically and for the last 12 months she has been a mentor to other children at Accrington's New Era.

The teenager now counsels youngsters who are being bullied, is a friend to those who are lonely, and tries to help anyone struggling with their homework. She even shares the secrets of her footballing skills with other young players.

Stacey, a pupil at The Hollins Technology College, Accrington, lives with her parents Stella and David, and her 17-year-old brother Steven.

She started going to the After School Club at New Era two years ago and was initially quite a rebellious young woman .

But leaders at the centre saw her potential and realised that by giving her an active role within the project she would learn responsibility and how to use her energy positively.

The club provides various youth club facilities such as a pool table, organised games, trips out and a mentoring service where certain children are given responsibility to help others who are lonely or being bullied. Mentors also help other children with homework and other school related work.

A year ago Stacey was asked to become a mentor and has thrived in the role.

She officially covers two nights a week at the New Era along with Saturday mornings - which amounts to seven hours.

She also helps with summer holiday activity schemes, uses her skills as a member of Accrington Ladies football team to tutor others and even spends two hours a week cleaning for her 90-year-old grandmother.

Stacey was recently promoted to the role of manager to other mentors at New Era and continues to impress youth workers.

Hollins head teacher Frank Havard said: "Both Stacey and her brother came to us as potentially high achievers but both had issues with their attitude.

"She was a pain. She was top set material and very clever but had an attitude.

"Now she really has developed and matured and is really just a delight to be with. She has blossomed into a positive woman. New Era is putting older heads on younger shoulders."

Parvinder Sohal, full time youth and community manager of youth service provision at the New Era, said: "She has demonstrated her willingness to help support and encourage younger members with a number of different activities ranging from help with home work to organising sporting activities.

"She is always available to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to the members.

"When Stacey began here she was an angry young person who felt the need to cause trouble and was having a hard time at school. Giving her the opportunity to help others has made a real difference to her and to the work she has willingly undertaken at the Youth Club.

Mum Stellasaid: "She has come on in leaps and bounds since starting at the After School Club.

"She had been cheeky at school in the past and has calmed down a lot. She is now setting an example to others.

"We are absolutely proud of her."

Pet projects a labour of love for Kerry. WHILE many school leavers spent their summer going on holiday, spending time with friends or relaxing at home, Kerry Sharples spent six days a week doing voluntary work.

The teenager gave up her entire summer holiday to benefit others - from disabled children to the elderly in a residential home.

Kerry, 16, has now begun a full time nursing apprenticeship and college course at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, and had to cut back her voluntary hours.

But she continues to help at Lord's House Farm, Rishton, whenever she is able and spends any spare time she has helping her elderly aunts with chores and babysitting for neighbours.

Her voluntary work began when she did a work experience placement in Year 10 at Elms Private Day Nursery, rear Lowerfold Road, Great Harwood.

She impressed staff so much that they took out extra insurance policies so she could return for two school holidays.

When Kerry left St Christopher's High School, Accrington, this June she took on various other voluntary roles.

Every Sunday she went to St Hubert's Lodge home for the elderly in St Hubert's Road, Great Harwood, from 9am-1pm where she kept residents company and helped them with personal care such as washing, helping them to the toilet, getting dressed, doing their shopping and playing games with them.

She also helped with mucking out, riding lessons and general tasks five days a week at Lord's House Farm, which uses animals to help with the development of disabled people.

Her mother Lorraine says there were many occasions when Kerry called her to bring in a pot noodle because she had decided to stay on for a 12-hour day.

One of the reasons Kerry, who lives with her mum and sisters Kirsty and Leah in Gladstone Road, Great Harwood, was awarded one of just 12 places at Queen's Park Hospital was the dedication she has shown in her voluntary work.

Her sister Kirsty said: "I think she deserves recognition for the voluntary work and maturity she shows.

"Me and our other sister Leah can't believe Kerry because she is never tired despite everything she does. She has always been like this and would help anyone when she was younger."

Ian Cardwell, a partner at St Hubert's Lodge, said: "Kerry's work here was tremendously appreciated.

"She is a very bubbly person, very cheerful.

"The residents all liked having her around very much. We generally have two to four volunteers each year and their work in invaluable."