Praise for the young (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Praise for the young

Olympic gold medallist Jason Gardener presented awards to some of Wiltshire's children in care at a gala lunch at Longleat.

The achievement awards are organised by Wiltshire County Council to celebrate the accomplishments of young people who are, or have been, in its care.

This year the awards were presented by the sporting hero at a ceremony on November 12 that was attended by around 140 of the 238 children and young people who were nominated for the awards.

Nominations were made for achievements in education, sport and leisure, personal development and art.

Among the winners was a teenager who settled in so well at her foster home near Chippenham that she is now one of the family.

Charlie Murray, a 21-year-old care leaver from Calne, picked up his fifth award.

He said: "These awards are really important for young people in care so they can feel better about themselves and can see what they've achieved."