“INSPIRATIONAL” youngsters were recognised at the prestigious Bourne Brilliant awards bash.

Young people ranging from young carers who look after relatives to those who overcome setbacks, illness and disability were among those shortlisted at a ceremony at the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth.

And the night was heralded as a “humbling” event by sponsors with all the youngsters praised for their sterling work in the community, both as volunteers and in their family lives.

After 10 winners were chosen in a variety of categories council youth worker Claire Escott, who organised the event with a team of young helpers, said the youngsters at the event were the “tip of the iceberg”. By seeing this you realise the scale and quality of the things that young people in Bournemouth do,” she said.

“And this shows the lives they lead and the issues they overcome.”

Bournemouth mayor Philip Stanley-Watts gave an opening speech where he said it was “a privilege” to be there celebrating the youngsters’ achievements.

Among the categories were the Young Carer Award and Triumph Over Adversity.

Toby Granville, editor of the Daily Echo, presented the award for the Young Local Hero category to Josh Mitchell, who stopped to help a man lying injured after an attack in Boscombe.

In giving the award Toby said he was delighted that the Echo could join as media partner and sponsor and said the “truly inspirational” youngsters “could fill a dozen newspapers”.

Among the other sponsors Philip Ward, of Abbey Life Assurance Company, told the Daily Echo it was “a great honour” to support Bournemouth council’s youth services in arranging the awards.

“This is a lovely chance to see the great things that youngsters do in Bournemouth,” he added. Anyone who wants to sponsor next year’s event can call Claire Escott on 07920 756694.

Young Local Hero Winner: Josh Mitchell

JOSH stopped to help a man who had been attacked in Boscombe Crescent and was on the floor unconscious and bleeding.

Josh was shocked that nobody else was helping him and put the man into the recovery position, reassuring him when he came round and calling emergency services.

Josh was praised for helping in a “gruesome” and “disturbing” situation and youth workers said it showed “the true” Josh.

Most Successful Young Team Winners: Abi Wembridge, Nicola Foreman and Umamah Ahmed

THESE three girls took it upon themselves to try and improve the lives of older people living near them.

They approached the Talbot View home and started visiting residents there to provide company and the youngsters now help to serve lunch on Fridays.

The girls continue to give up their free time and invited the residents into their school to meet the other schoolchildren.

This has included holding a tea dance and the visitors also entered the school quiz.

Sports Star Award Winner: Noah Vides

NOAH was praised as an “exceptionally talented” and “committed” swimmer who trains for a minimum of 16 hours per week.

His achievements include a gold medals in national competitions and Noah encourages young swimmers as well as swimming at charity events.

Inspirational Role Model Award Winner: Chandos Green

CHANDOS was described as “a true inspiration”.

Chandos has never let a tumour which affects the left side of his body hold him back and he devotes all his spare time to helping others.

When he was just aged five he walked to Southampton to raise funds for the hospital there where he receives treatment.

And Chandos is planning a sponsored sky dive as well as hoping to start his own charity to help fellow sufferers of obsessive compulsive disorder.

He has also been to Ethiopa to work with children living in slums and he volunteers in a range of roles in Bournemouth.

Young Carer Award Winner: Abigail Lockyer

ABIGAIL is a joint carer for her younger sister, who has learning difficulties.

She helps with day-to-day activities as well as school and days out, including taking her to join groups.

The last two years has seen this support continue despite Abigail being at college and having three jobs and helping at a youth centre.

Her care frees up some time for her mother and provides “a huge and priceless impact” on her sister.

Young Star of the Future Award Winner Amber Lovell

AMBER joined the youth council when she was just 12 and met with transport ministers to try and influence prices for young people on public transport. She also called for the voting age to be lowered to 16 and she sat in the House of Commons for a debate.

She went through media training in her youth parliament role and saw her blog published on the Daily Echo website before being used by The Times.

She was described as a girl “with a passion and a drive for success”.

Outstanding Contribution to the Community Winner: Ella Owen

ELLA has volunteered with the youth service for more than five years and was described as showing outstanding dedication and commitment to young people in the community.

She has been working at weekends to help ensure residential breaks for disadvantaged young people.

Ella was also described as being inspirational to all those that she meets and having “a happy disposition and positive attitude”.

She has raised money for an orphanage in India that works with trafficked young women. She gives up her own time and brings her own “Ella Magic” to the good work she does.

Triumph Over Adversity Award Winner: George Tyers

AT 16 George was a passenger in a car crash which caused a spinal injury.

He has had to get over being told he will never walk again after six weeks in intensive care and then eight months in a spinal unit.

George writes about his life on Twitter to try and warn other youngsters and is involved with the charity Rescue, which aims to show young drivers the consequences of speeding.

Arts Star Award Winner: Jemma Joseph

JEMMA has been dancing at school and has worked through severe pain caused by bones in her foot not having formed correctly.

And despite the setback she has refused to give up any school clubs.

Jemma helps her peers and younger students with coursework, dancing and fitness classes and provides “inspiration”.

She has taken on a lead role at a performance at Bournemouth Pavilion and led 130 students in a composition she developed.

She also tours dance performances at primary schools as part of her love for the arts.

Young Volunteer Award Winner: Lauren Clarke (collected by Jan Tiller on her behalf)

Lauren has been praised for her dedication and commitment in volunteering with the youth service over the last five years and has been encouraging young people to express their views and opinions.

She is now studying level two in youth work practice.

Lauren is involved in organising activities and she was the drive behind a project with 100 young people having their say on health and social care.

She also helped a youngster while they were waiting for accommodation and has been a fundraiser for a hospice.