Young Volunteer of the Year - Jemma Edwards

Birkenhead Sixth Form College student Jemma Edwards has been presented with the Merseyside Partnership’s Young Volunteer of the Year award.  Jemma has already won the Wirral title.

She received her award at the Merseyside Sporting Champions’ Dinner at Liverpool's Adelphi Hotel last Friday (12.11.10).   The event celebrates sporting achievements and raises money for Merseyside Sports Council.

Dedicated Jemma has been involved in voluntary work for three years after joining Park High School’s Community Team when still a student there.  Her week includes coaching rock climbing and ‘Boxercise’ classes for visually impaired people, organising segregated female fitness classes to help different cultures into sport, pre-school gymnastics classes and a community club for children and adults.  She has also helped with sailing courses for children with complex needs. 

Jemma, whose ambition is to be a PE Teacher, was presented with the award by 400m sprinter Derek Redmond and Radio Merseyside sports presenter Alan Jackson hosted the evening.    She expressed her debt to Park High School and Birkenhead Sixth Form College teachers Ian Gauntlet and Lillian Lancley, who encouraged her to get involved in voluntary work.