14 February 2008
The Prime Minister has praised the winners of the Young People of the Year Award (YOPEY) at a special reception held recently at Downing Street.
The national YOPEY event was set up by Take a Break magazine and aims to balance the negative image of young people by telling their positive stories. Competition entries telling stories of young people doing good came from all backgrounds and all organisations, from schools and youth organisations to charities and churches.
This year’s overall winner, 11-year-old Scarlett Saunders, of Benfleet, in Essex, impressed the judges with her bravery, ongoing charity work and caring of others. Scarlett was diagnosed with Leukemia aged nine and spent six-months in Great Ormond Street Hospital where she helped to comfort and look after the other children, also donating her toys and games. When she left hospital, Scarlett hosted a coming home party, raising £500 for the children’s ward.
Speaking at the reception, Mr Brown, who was joined by his wife Sarah, one of the competition judges, told the young finalists that they were all "champions", "stars" and "heroes".
Mr Brown said:
"All of you have done very, very special things. . . I want to thank each and every one of you for what you have done, and your families for the support they have given you."
Other finalists present at the reception were married couple, Samuel and Natalie Hill, who started a boxing club to keep youngsters out of trouble and get them healthy and active, and runner-up Laura Hopkins, who took on the care of her family after her mum was diagnosed with a chronic illness.
YOPEY founder Tony Gearing joined Mrs Brown as a judge, along with Take a Break deputy editor Sophie Hearsey.
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