Wolves Foundation are among the patrons of the Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year awards run by Rotary Clubs across the city, which were cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but are now back for 2021 with the age range extended.
There will now be awards aged for young people between 13 and 18, and also 19 and 25, recognising those who have gone the extra mile over the last 12 months, particularly during such a challenging time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jay, whose TV credits include the hugely successful The Repair Shop focused on restoring furniture, now has a home in Wolverhampton and took part in the Foundation’s first ever Molineux Sleepout prior to becoming an ambassador last year.
“The Rotary Clubs want to hear from young people who go the extra mile – and you know who they are!” he says.
“The awards are open to young people aged between 13 and 25 who have a link to Wolverhampton whether that is by living here, working here, or learning here with their education.
“These are people doing outstanding work, maybe by volunteering, running a football club, doing something in the community for the elderly.
“We want to acknowledge those young people for the great work they are doing and celebrate them so they know that they are valued.
“All together, we work better together, so I would encourage people to come forward and nominate someone who is in those categories.”
As a patron of the awards the Foundation are keen supporters of the Rotary Club’s initiative, and education officer Liam Turner is on the panel of judges.
Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker and former striker and now chairman of the Former Players Association John Richards have also provided video messages encouraging people to put forward nominations.
As mentioned, nominees must live, study or work within the boundaries of Wolverhampton, and can be put forward by family members, friends, teachers, employers, youth leaders and other professionals.
The Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year award has been running since 2014, and are dedicated to former Wolverhampton Rotarian Tom Warren, who served as Director of Education in the city for 25 years.
The awards are organised by the Rotary Clubs of Tettenhall, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton St Georges and Bilston and Wolverhampton West, and other patrons alongside the Foundation include the City of Wolverhampton Council and the Express & Star.
Nominations can made up to the deadline of May 31st, by visiting www.wolverhamptonyoungcitizen.org.uk and, subject to Covid regulations at the time, the awards ceremony is set to take place on July 8th.
‘I urge anyone who knows a young person who deserves to be recognised for helping others during the pandemic, or for demonstrating good citizenship, to nominate them on line,” says Rotarian Roger Timbrell, chairman of the organising committee.
