THE High Sheriff of Northumberland Awards celebrated the volunteer spirit of the county earlier this month.

The 2024 High Sheriff of Northumberland Awards, held in Alnwick Playhouse on March 12, saw 48 youth charities presented with awards for their work with children and young people in the region by High Sheriff Diana Barkes.

Each of the charities received £1,000 from the High Sheriff of Northumberland fund, in partnership with the Community Foundation.  

Hexham Courant: (L) The High Sheriff, Vanessa Jardine, chief constable of Northumbria (centre) and Caroline Pryer, vice lord-lieutenant for Northumberland(L) The High Sheriff, Vanessa Jardine, chief constable of Northumbria (centre) and Caroline Pryer, vice lord-lieutenant for Northumberland (Image: Canon Alan Hughes)

Volunteer groups included Allendale Youth Ambition, Hexham Youth Initiative and Newbrough and Warden Sportsfield Association.

Three charities received a special award, getting an extra £1,000. The High Sheriff fund donated £51,000 through the Awards.

Hexham Courant: (L) Vice Lord Lt Caroline and the High Sheriff (R) presenting a Special Award to ESCAPE Family Support(L) Vice Lord Lt Caroline and the High Sheriff (R) presenting a Special Award to ESCAPE Family Support (Image: Verity Johnson)

Diana Barkes said: "Being High Sheriff over this last year has been a huge privilege and I have met so many volunteers from a wide range of organisations who are making a real difference to people within their communities.  

"I believe that giving children and young people support where it is needed and the opportunity to broaden their horizons is key to them going on to lead fulfilling and productive lives which is why the Northumberland High Sheriff Fund gives financial support to charities that offer such opportunities."

Hexham Courant: The team who helped put the ceremony together with the High Sheriff, led by former High Sheriff Colonel James RoydsThe team who helped put the ceremony together with the High Sheriff, led by former High Sheriff Colonel James Royds (Image: Verity Johnson)

Funding came from charitable trust donations and fundraising events, which this year raised nearly £30,000.

The High Sheriff visited ESCAPE Family Support in Ashington and decided it deserved an extra £1,000 that comes with a Special Award.  

Hexham Courant: The Duchess's High School performers at the eventThe Duchess's High School performers at the event (Image: Canon Alan Hughes)

EFS is a community-led response to drug and alcohol misuse in Northumberland offering services to substance abusers through education and parenting programmes as well as peer mentoring. The charity recognises that family, carers and others supporting those affected by drugs and alcohol require help in their own right and offers various services, courses and activities.

The entertainment was provided by the Duchess's Community High School, in Alnwick, who performed scenes from their musical Return to the Forbidden Planet.

A film produced by Mortal Fools was shown, which is a creative learning, theatre and drama company providing youth theatre groups and outreach workshops, which articulated the needs of young people in their community.

Hundreds attended and enjoyed a buffet reception afterwards provided by Caroline Chrisp and The Oswin Project.

The ceremony was sponsored by CCLA Investment Management.