In a fine example of Rotary clubs working together to Unite For Good, the Tettenhall, Wednesfield and City of Wolverhampton clubs held a glittering ceremony attended by 150 people in the Chancellors Hall at the University of Wolverhampton to recognise 10 young Wulfrunians who won through to the final of the 12th annual Young Citizens Awards competition
The finalists were Ethan Shaw, Richie Tanner, Jessica Yang, Kieran Smith-Mills, Sarah Featherstone,Hatleen Nahal, Eva Abbey, Alsha Mustapha, Frazer Humphreys and Haya Mehanger, all of whom had shown outstanding community service and undergone a searching interview by the selection panel following their nomination.
The winner in the 13-18 group was Ethan Shaw and in the 19-25 group it was Frazer Humphreys. They received plaques, certificates of recognition together with a £100 prize for themselves and £100 to be donated to a charity of their choice.
L-R winner in the 19-25 group Frazer Humphreys, Eva Abley, a winner in 2023 with her Special Award and the winner in the 13-18 group Ethan Shaw
There was also a special recognition award to Eva Abley, a winner in 2023 for taking her community service to a national level by publishing a book (The Good The Bad and The Wobbly) with all proceeds going to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and for the BAFTA award winning documentery she did about the poor provision for children with special needs.
The awards were presented by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood and Amanda Evans from the City Council.
The awards for the older group are held in the name of Tom Warren CBE, a Wolverhampton Rotarian who rose to become the Rotary International President in 1945/46. In the past year, the younger group competition has been renamed to recognise Rotarian Roger Timbrell who has stepped down after giving great service as chairman of the joint clubs Young Citizens Awards committee for 10 years.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers star Rotarian Mel Eves who has taken over as Chairman said: “These young people are wonderful role models for our City’s young people. They deserve to be recognised and their achievements celebrated. It has been a privilege to have been one of the judges and to have led the organising committee for the first time this year.”