Awards evening showcases achievements of inspirational young people

An event celebrating the achievements of young people across Nottinghamshire has been praised as a “great success”.

Nottinghamshire Police’s Live Our Best Life Awards ceremony took place on April 27 at the Village Hotel in Chilwell.

The awards evening featured dance, music and spoken word performances from talented young people and showcased why each winner was selected with a video celebrating their achievements.

A total of 12 winners and runners-up were recognised at the awards, which first launched in 2021, for showing incredible resilience, selflessness, talent or having done something inspirational or risen above adversity.

The awards were held in connection with the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, whose continued support the force is privileged to receive, and featured a special video message from the charity’s chief executive Jessica Neil, congratulating the award winners and runners-up.

More than 150 people were nominated for this year’s awards, with each winner and runner-up invited to the awards evening to receive trophies, certificates and a selection of gifts in recognition of their hard work.

This year’s winners were:

• Rising Above Adversity Award – Cameron Wood, 13, which goes to a young person who, despite their background or upbringing, is an inspiration to others. 
• Lyrico Steede Award – Lebron Nelson, 15, for making significant progress and inspiring others to make positive decisions and better life choices.
• Young Performer of the Year Award – Darmani Lewis, 17, for displaying creative talents such as singing, dancing, rapping, and acting.
• Young Leader of the Year Award – Lydia Yates, 17, for leading by example and being a role model to their peers through student, sport, or youth work.
• Bringing People Together Award – Malick McCartney-Bojang, 14, for bringing the community together or fighting to eradicate hate or racism.
• Young Inspiration Award – Freya Ricketts, 17, for doing something inspirational, showing resilience or doing something selfless to help others.

Romel Davis, Nottinghamshire Police’s youth outreach coordinator and awards founder, said the awards were a great success.

He added:

“This year’s awards evening was simply fantastic.

“The night was full of emotion, positivity, and inspiration, whilst also recognising the amazing achievements of young people across Nottinghamshire, which brought me to tears.

“It was a very humbling night to see all these young people come together and celebrate each other’s successes and they certainly did themselves, their families, and communities proud.

“I want to congratulate all of the winners and runners-up for being an inspiration to society and I hope that the awards ceremony inspires you to continue to strive for excellence.”

Inspector Paul Peatfield is Nottinghamshire Police’s Prevention Hub lead for engagement, which includes the youth outreach team.

He said:

“Working with communities and young people across Nottinghamshire is incredibly important to us, to build trust and confidence and nurture these relationships.”

“As a force, we are dedicated to running a series of programmes and initiatives to help enrich the lives of young people throughout the county, from our mini police and cadet schemes to engagement events delivered by the citizens in policing department.

“All those who have received recognition should be incredibly proud of their achievements and the award is a reflection of their ongoing hard work in our communities.

“I would also like to thank our sponsors for supporting Nottinghamshire Police and for their efforts in deciding this year’s winners and runners-up, as this event would not be possible without their help.”