Pictured above is Chloe Collins Farrell with the Lions Youth Award Cup.

Year 14 student Chloe Collins Farrell was recently awarded the Lions Youth Award Cup and a £250 bursary to help with her project.  Chloe will know go forward to represent Newry in the All-Ireland Final in Dublin next month, with the winner getting a further £500 bursary.

Speaking at the presentation in the Canal Court Hotel on 14th November, Lions Youth Award officer Tony O’Hare said,  “The young person, chosen today by our panel of judges from the outstanding local finalists, demonstrates a commitment to the Lions Ideals of `Service to their community`.  All the finalists are a credit to their parents and their schools. They are all winners.”  He thanked Young People from all over Newry and Mourne for voluntary community work that they were involved in.

The Lions Youth Award scheme, which operates locally and throughout Europe, is designed to recognise, encourage and support young people who are actively involved in the welfare of their local community. This year three finalists were interviewed by a panel of judges. The candidates in Newry are active in a wide variety of activities, helping young and older people, disabled and able bodied and disadvantaged and volunteering for work at Newry Gateway Club, youth clubs and coaching underage sport to both able bodied and special needs children.

A number are involved in anti bullying and suicide awareness programmes. They have organised events as diverse as netball tournaments to junior drama.

The Newry winner, Chloe Collins Farrell, impressed the judges with her social work and her project to promote and raise money for Guide dogs for the Blind N.I.