Lord Mayor of York Councillor David Horton will tomorrow (Wednesday, June 12, 2002) lead the presentation of almost 60 awards to young people and youth workers in the first such ceremony in the city.

Councillor Horton and Lady Mayoress Mrs Kathleen Gibson will be presenting York Youth Achievement, Youth Challenge and Young People's Individual Achievements awards at the York Youth Service Awards event at the Kingswater Centre at Clifton Green Primary School (7pm to 9pm).

As well as awards to young people the evening will also mark the contribution of City of York Council youth workers with a number of newly qualified part-time youth workers receiving their nationally accredited Initial Training certificates.

However, another big feature of the event will be the presentation of long service awards to Youth Service staff who have given 20 years or more service to young people. There will also be special awards for volunteers who have been nominated to have their work and commitment in the support of young people recognised.

Paul Herring, head of the council's Youth Service, said, "This is an opportunity to recognise some achievements made by young people in their personal development through sustained effort."

Kay Tate, training coordinator for the York Youth Service, said, "This is the first event of its kind since the City of York Council became a unitary authority and is a great opportunity to recognise the achievements of both young people and youth workers within the city."

Councillor Alan Jones, the council's executive member for leisure and heritage, said, "Too often we see young people being unjustly and hastily criticised. These awards are proof positive that many, many young people make a positive contribution to York's quality of life.

"They also show that with good high quality guidance from our excellent Youth Service Staff, and our enthusiastic part-time youth workers, we can and should value the skills, views, and input of young people as an integral and vital part of our local community."

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