AN event to recognise how disadvantaged young people have transformed their lives will take place this week.

The North-East Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success Awards will be held at the Newcastle Marriot Hotel, in Gateshead, on Wednesday.

About 300 people will attend the ceremony.

The awards, now in their sixth year, recognise young people’s success in education, skills development, employment, enterprise and community.

The ceremony will also acknowledge the role of team leaders, group advisors, volunteers, staff and partner organisations who support or work directly with young people.

The six categories are: ● Educational Achiever of the Year sponsored by The Northern Echo; ● Young Achiever of the Year sponsored by Newcastle Building Society; ● Enterprise Award sponsored by FSB – Federation of Small Businesses; ● Community Impact Award sponsored by Greggs PLC; ● Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Meldrum Construction Services; ● Inspiring Leaders Award sponsored by Frank Haslam Milan.

Award winners will go through to the national finals, to be held early next year.

The Prince’s Trust works with youngsters who have struggled at school, have been in care, are longterm unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

Across the North-East this year, about 1,200 14 to 19- year-olds who are at risk of truanting, exclusion and underachievement will have a say in their education by joining a Prince’s Trust xl club.

The clubs are run in schools, young offender institutions, pupil referral units, colleges and secure children’s homes.

The clubs aim to improve attendance, motivation and social skills.

Students gain nationallyrecognised qualifications and more than 80 per cent of xl club members will move into work, education or training. This year, the trust aims to support more than 4,000 14 to 30-year-olds in the North-East.

A range of programmes will be provided, including personal development courses, business start-up finance and grants for community projects.

Last year, three out of four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust moved into education, employment or further training.

Since the charity was founded by the Prince of Wales in 1976, it has helped more than 575,000 young people across the UK and continues to support 100 more every day.

The three nominees for the Educational Achiever of the Year sponsored by The Northern Echo are: ● Jade Savvery: Jade lost her father in a road accident two days after starting secondary school.

This devastated her family and her attendance and behaviour were affected.

By year nine, Jade was at risk of permanent exclusion.

She was becoming increasingly withdrawn and disengaged, lacked confidence and had no dreams for the future.

After joining The Prince’s Trust xl club, Jade discovered that she is a natural leader, a skill that had remained hidden because of her lack of confidence.

Sarah Smith, Jade’s xl advisor, said: “I’m so proud of Jade.

“She plans to attend Middlesbrough College next year so that she can become a children’s nurse.

“Jade is really enjoying life and knows her father would be very proud of her achievements so far.”

● Terri-Leigh Remmer McManus: When Terri-Leigh joined The Prince’s Trust xl club at Hylton Red House School, in Sunderland, she had had a troubled past, which affected her commitment to school.

The 16-year-old had been through a period of bereavement and turmoil. She lost her mother and became a carer to her grandmother and little brother.

Not long afterwards, when Terri- Leigh was 15, her grandmother died. The xl club gave Terri-Leigh somewhere to be herself, to gain accreditation at her own pace and to rediscover her self-belief.

Now at Red House Academy, she is confident, happy and even asks for homework.

Terri-Leigh’s xl club co-ordinator, Loraine Humble, said: “When Terri-Leigh passed her exams, I genuinely don’t know who was more proud, Terri-Leigh or me.

“She has undergone so much heartbreak in her short life and had no selfbelief.

By Joe Willis joe.willis@nne.co.uk ‘AMBITIOUS’: Terri-Leigh Remmer McManus ‘HONEST AND CARING’: Craig Allinson ‘NATURAL LEADER’: Jade Savvery “Now she is confident, happy, ambitious and a huge asset to our xl club.”

● Craig Allinson: Before joining The Prince’s Trust xl club, Sunnybrow youngster Craig was shy.

He has learning difficulties and his work was poor. He had limited social skills and lacked confidence.

During his two years in the xl club, Craig has grown in confidence.

He enjoyed being part of a small group and found that others in the group also had learning difficulties.

The 17-year-old is now described by staff members at Parkside School as “a leader”.

Craig’s teacher, Christine Allchurch, said: “Craig is a lovely, kind, caring, honest and hard-working young man.”

She added: “Craig has changed so much, it is unbelievable. When he first joined the xl club, he would hardly utter a word and wouldn’t make eye contact.

“Now, Craig is a leader and can hold a sensible conversation with any one, he is always willing to help others and share his findings and views.”

Craig has a place at Bishop Auckland College studying travel and tourism.