Page 46 - Lion Oct Nov 2016

Young Ambassador
A ‘fantastic weekend and everyone was so welcome’, that was just the opinion of one of the Candidates at the Young Ambassador of the 21st Century Finals’ weekend in February this year.
Yet another brilliant group of 12 young people (a young man from 105-SE had to withdraw) who were District Winners of the MD105 got together for the weekend for interviews, fun and getting to know one another. It was good to see so many parents coming along for the weekend in support of candidates.
As ever, there was great diversity in their activities/projects, giving the three judges (Michelle Crowley, Mike Kendall and Jill Hood) a very difficult job. However, on Sunday morning, they eventually revealed Gurleen Kaur from District 105-W, sponsored by Llandrindod Wells Lions Club, the winner to receive the Rose Bowl Trophy.
The Shipshape Award went to Jack Hickey of District 105-I who was sponsored by Carrick on Suir Lions Club.
Thanks go to the three judges for their time and expertise and to Orla Jackman, the winner from 2015 who acted as mentor and supported the 2016 candidates over the weekend. Orla, the 2015 young Ambassador from 105-I went to the Europa Forum in Augsburg, Germany, last October by being the winner (one of seven European Candidates) and received €3,500 towards her project. An amazing result!
She says, ‘Since winning the Young Ambassador Award in Birmingham last year, I went on to the Europa Forum final last October in Augsburg, Germany. I was fortunate enough to be successful in winning that final. There were contestants from 6 other countries, all with great projects! It was a truly amazing experience!
I continued on my annual fundraising event ‘Cycle with Orla for Crumlln’ which was held in September 2015, due to bad weather conditions we did not get the crowds we expected with only half the number of cyclists(240) compared to 2014. It was still a great day, raising €10,000. To date Crosslow Fundraisers have raised €95,000 in 5 years. Since then I have started my 1st year in University, studying to be a primary school teacher.’
So, now is the time to make sure that you have a Young Ambassador sponsored by your Club to give him/her the opportunity to be a part of this brilliant weekend for these deserving young members of our communities.
Glenys Sanders
Young Ambassador Committee Chairman
October/November 2016
Youth
105-A Evie Foster
Sponsored by Fairlop Lions Club
Evie is a member of Epping Youth Council, a National ‘I will Ambassador’ and a qualified swimming instructor. She manages Redbridge Aquathon Team and Redbridge Cross Country Team. Evie and friends swam the English Channel, raising £4000 for Teenage Cancer
Research. She is also a member of the Police Commissioners Forum, a Dementia Friend, involved with a local Charity ‘Red Balloon Family’ ( renovating a disused Youth Centre) also an NCO in Combined Cadet Force and Instructor for weapons, drills and tactics. Her voluntary work has won her the Epping Young Citizen Award 2015 and Youth Council Cup.
105-BN Benjamin McGowan
Sponsored by City of Liverpool Lions Club
Benjamin is a member of the Air Cadets, teaching communications and managing the newsletter for the Squadron. He is a volunteer Cadet Paramedic with St Johns’ Ambulance, (teaching the public vital First Aid skills).He chairs the Liverpool Schools Parliament where
students from all over the city get a voice in running their local constituency along with experience in debating. He also represents young people in the North Western Transport Section, campaigning for cheaper fares and a more interconnected transport system.
105-BS Drew Morgan
Sponsored by Rugeley and District Lions Club
Drew volunteered in deprived areas of Peru last summer, helping on building projects such as classrooms, toilets etc. Whilst there, she also completed the Machu Picchu Trail. She worked for 18 months to raise the money to
fund her trip. Drew gets involved in Lions’ activities and feels that working on Community projects has helped to shape her and her future. She is on her 6th Form School Council and tutors a young student.
105-C Mathew Milner
Sponsored by Garforth and District Lions Club
At 16, Mathew is studying for his A Levels and wants to take up Photography as a career. Mathew has fund raised to support Hospices, youth and the homeless. He is currently working with a team on a website to enable
local youth to find activities/clubs. He is Chairperson of an Explorer Scout Group and wants to lead an initiative within Scouts to train other Explorers to become
‘Walking Ambulances’.
www.lionsclubs.co
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