AN AWARDS ceremony celebrated the generosity of young Thornbury volunteers.

Some 50 students from Castle School Sixth Form have been involved in the school’s volunteering programme Castle in the Community.

Volunteers and students who have acted as peer mentors for their fellow classmates were celebrated at special ceremony last Wednesday.

Members of the charities and organisations they worked for over recent months packed into the school as the sixth formers were presented with certificates by chairman of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Ian Boulton.

Ted Dolder, of Thornbury Lions Club – who were sponsoring the ceremony – then spoke about the work and ethos of the organisation.

Sixth form deputy head teacher Dr Kathy Fawcett said the school was very proud of the teenagers, who had all made a difference to the lives of other people.

Castle in the Community was launched two years ago in partnership with the Thornbury Volunteer Centre.

Pupils involved in the scheme spent two hours every Wednesday afternoon working with charities or local primary schools.

Georgie Webb, 19, enjoyed her time volunteering at New Siblands Primary School.

“The atmosphere at the school is very welcoming and the staff and children are lovely to work with,” she said. “This placement has made me think seriously about this type of work as a possible career.

“It was a great way to spend Wednesday afternoons and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.”

Other placements included gardening, website design, charity shop work, befriending older people and fundraising.

Preparations for next year’s Castle in the Community scheme will soon begin.

To get involved please contact Kim Webb at Thornbury Volunteer Centre on 01454 413392 or mail@volunteer-thornbury.co.uk