Moray charity recognises inspirational youngsters
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A Moray charity has celebrated the achievements of young people and volunteers.
Elgin Youth Development Group (EYDG) hosted Saturday's glittering Youth Development Awards, which attracted a packed out audience of guests to the youth cafe.
Among those gathered was Ian McLaughlan, chief executive of Youth Scotland, who said: "It was great to meet so many of the young people involved in The Warehouse at Elgin Youth Café, some of the staff, directors and guests.
"I was blown away by the leadership shown (and recognised) especially by the young people and adult volunteers, the staff and the directors of the charity."
Winning the Kay Ralph Memorial Award was the team behind last Autumn's Inspiration Week, which played out in the October holidays and included a host of motivational talks and events.
Emily Burns, who is on the Inspiration Week team and also won the Community Champion award, said: "It is overwhelming and phenomenal that we got an award for allowing people to hear inspirational stories."
The EYDG Choice Award went to Aidan Henderson, who has organised a wide range of community initiatives.
The Elgin Academy pupil said: "To win this award for doing what I love is amazing."
The event kicked off EYDG's 21st celebrations, with more events scheduled later in the year.
EYDG was established in 1998 to provide a safe social space for young people in the Elgin area. That saw the formation of a youth cafe on Francis Place which was expanded in 2006 to include a community kitchen and meeting rooms in the adjoining Inkwell.
AWARD WINNERS
Adult Volunteer of the Year – Jim Walton; Young Volunteer of the Year – Lauren Robertson; Living Well – Jacob Sutherland and Fenella Allen; Leadership Award – Teigan MacLennan; Community Champion – Emily Burns, Outstanding Contribution – Fiona Birse; Inkwell Choice – Baby Steps (Kirsteen Carmichael and Sammy Morrison); Youth Choice – June McArthur; EYDG Choice – Aidan Henderson Kay Ralph Memorial Award – Inspiration Week Team 2018. Several young people also received recognition certificates.
