Information on Loughborough

Young people receive national recognition for outstanding community work

Posted on 24/06/2009

police,constabulary,leicestershire police Young people receive national recognition for outstanding community work

Eight young people from Castle Donington have been presented with a prestigious national award for their commitment to reducing anti-social behaviour and tackling environmental issues in their village. 

The group, known as the ‘Bosworth Road Crew,’ were presented with a ‘Diana Award,’ on Tuesday 23rd June 2009 at the full council meeting of North West Leicestershire District Council.  The Diana Award recognises the achievement of outstanding young people aged between 12 and 18 who make selfless contributions to their communities and invest a huge amount of energy and compassion into improving the lives of others. 

The group dedicate a considerable amount of their spare time to community based initiatives.  Most recently, they have successfully secured £6000 for new play equipment in their area; they’ve bought safety torches for teenagers walking to and from the local youth club, launched a campaign and secured better street lighting on Spittal Lane in Castle Donington.  They organise regular litter picks in the area and hold coffee morning’s for a group of elderly people which has helped to bridge the gap between the two generations. 

They’ve been working with the support of Ruth Mulvany, the Street Enforcement Manager at North West Leicestershire and Youth Worker, Ro Riley 

The group were presented with a RESPECT award by North West Leicestershire Partnership in Safer Communities in March 2009, but now their work is being recognised nationally.  The Diana Certificate of Excellence Award is a scheme administered by the Memorial Committee that was founded in 1999 to ensure that the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales is commemorated in a way that is of lasting benefit to society

Councillor Trevor Pendleton said; “These young people from Castle Donington have proven their commitment and enthusiasm to improving the community in which they live. This award gives recognition to the work that they have done. They are role models for other young people and an asset to the District.” 

Inspector Chris Brown, Commander of North West Leicestershire local policing unit, said; “It is great to celebrate the positive contribution young people make to their communities and it is even better to see that work receive national recognition. All too often we hear negative things about young people but there are many teenagers who commit a great deal of their own time to help others and the Bozzy Road Crew are a great example of that.  They are passionate about where they live, they give up a lot of their own time to help others and are changing the perception of the Bosworth Road estate.”      

The winners of the Princess Diana ‘Award of Excellence’ are given a free tour of Althorpe House were Diana grew up.  One of the Crew members, 14 year old Grace Macphee, said; “We are very proud to have received this award and we are really looking forward to visiting Althorpe House.  It was really scary to stand up in front of the full council!  We were really impressed when we saw that the certificates had been signed by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.”

Other members of the Bosworth Road Crew are;

  • Sarah Roper aged 16
  • Corey Bennett aged 12
  • Grace Macphee aged 14,
  • James Macphee aged 13,
  • Callum Macphee aged 10
  • Grace Bonner aged 13
  • Kevin Roper aged 15
  • Jordan Smith aged 10