A YOUNG woman from Kingswood was chosen to receive a Young Citizen Award for her athletic endeavours and community work.

Chloe Ball-Hopkins, 18, received Rotary Great Britain and Ireland’s Young Citizen Award at a ceremony on Saturday, April 11.

Chloe was selected as the first recipient of a new award, the Rotary Young Citizen Para-Athlete Award, after being nominated by the Rotary Club of Cotswold Tyndale.

“When I found out I had won the award, I couldn’t speak I was so excited. My mum couldn’t understand why I was smiling so much so I just had to hand her my phone,” she said.

“I’m so pleased and privileged to be the first person to win the award, especially as it’s a brand new category.

“It’s really positive to see there is such great sporting talent out there.”

Tipped for the GB Paralympic Squad in Archery for 2016, Chloe suffers from muscular dystrophy.

From an early age she has been a fundraiser and has helped to increase awareness of the muscle-wasting, life-limiting condition.

The judges of the Young Citizen award chose from nearly 70 entries from across the UK and Ireland, and Chloe joined the other six winners to receive their awards on stage at the 90th Rotary GBI conference in Belfast.

As well as receiving a trophy at the ceremony, Chloe also received £500 towards her project. This will include going towards supporting her training for Rio Paralympics 2016.

Chloe continued: “The Rotary Club of Cotswold Tyndale first supported me when I did wheelchair racing. Then, when I was unable to do that anymore and began doing archery they gave me support in that area as well.

“I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the support of the club.”

Launched in 2007, the Young Citizen Awards were created to recognise people under the age of 25 who have demonstrated their commitment to citizenship through various activities.

For more information about Rotary GBI’s Youth Competitions visit: http://www.rotarygbi.org/what-we-do/youth-competitions.