YOUNG people across Tynedale, who have excelled during their involvement with the district’s youth projects, have been honoured at a special awards ceremony.

The annual Tynedale Youth Forum Awards bring together teenagers, youth workers and community groups for a celebration of achievement in all forms.

And this year’s event, held at Hexham Community Centre last Friday, was more poignant than ever as a special memorial award to much-loved youth worker Dane Curran was unveiled and presented for the first time.

A keen motor cyclist who made an impact as a youth worker across Tynedale, Dane (21) set off on what should have been a memorable ride to France in September, but died following a crash on the M11 in Cambridgeshire.

“Dane is a huge miss and, with some funding from the Rank Foundation, we were able to cover the cost of a trophy which will be presented as a special award each year, in his memory,” explained Sean Soulsby, who is chairman of Corbridge Youth Initiative and lead practitioner with Children North-East.

A member of Hexham Youth Initiative, Katie Robson was the first recipient after those who had worked with her were impressed by the way she went above and beyond the requirements for her Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

“The forum brings together everyone involved in the seven youth projects in the area, as well as other bodies and organisations with an interest in youth work,” Sean added.

“The awards are just one of the key projects delivered by the forum every year and we make sure there are no fixed categories.

“Young people are nominated by youth workers for achievements like overcoming anxieties, confidence building, participation, group or community work.”

Hexham Youth Initiative, Corbridge Youth Initiative, Prudhoe East Centre, Haltwhistle Young and Sweet, North Pennines Young Voices, Haydon Bridge Sunshine Panners Steel Band and Tynedale Youth Link made up the schemes represented at the awards.

Paula Beaton, Adam Cole, Ruby Oliver and Kitten Reed were honoured for creating an animation on the Tynedale Youth Link peer mentoring scheme, which is overseen by Children North-East.

From Corbridge Youth Initiative, Cerys Byerley, Megan Patrickson, Georgia Rutherford and Iona Singleton were given an award for their commitment to volunteering and fund-raising for the project.

Leanne Flanagan, who has dedicated the last six years to performing with the Sunshine Panners, despite going off to university, was recognised for her dedication.

Steven Byers, Adam Archibald and Matthew Johnson, of the Haltwhistle project, were singled out for their committed and positive participation.

Also receiving awards for displaying significant leadership qualities when supporting young members of the North Pennines Young Voices were Naomi Sloan, James Bell, Emily Boertien and Ashlyn Harrison.

And from Prudhoe, Becky Rutherford and Lizzie Lambert, who have been involved with the East Centre for more than five years, were honoured for their dedication to the senior group.

Also from the East Centre, voluntary DJ for the junior group, Corey Chambers, was honoured alongside Luke Clapham-Richmond, Nicole Biggins and Peter Walker for their contribution as volunteers.

Finally, a group award was presented to seven young people from Hexham Youth Initiative, who have helped launch and operate a new service for the elderly, known as the Open Arms project.

The service provides a regular tea-time session at Hexham Community Centre for some of the most isolated and vulnerable people in the community.

Each winner was presented with a certificate by senior philanthropy advisor at the Community Foundation, Su Legg, who was keen to see how projects funded through the foundation were being delivered on the ground.

She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and it was great hearing about the young people’s work and achievements.”

Throughout the year, the youth forum exists to facilitate partnership working between the youth projects via the World of Work event, held at Hexham Mart, an activity residential weekend and a summer pool party and barbecue at Haltwhistle outdoor pool.