REMARKABLE students in Thornbury have been recognised for their volunteering achievements at a special awards ceremony.

Dozens of young people from The Castle School’s sixth form who have spent the last eight months working in the community were honoured on Wednesday, May 6.

The students, who had taken part in the school’s ‘Castle in the Community’ scheme or who had acted as peer mentors for fellow classmates were presented with certificates by Thornbury town mayor, Guy Rawlinson.

Speaking at the event the school’s deputy head of sixth form, Sarah Ockenden, said that the school was immensely proud of the students’ achievements and that they had all made a difference to the lives of other people.

Kevin Simpson of Thornbury Lions Club then spoke about the work and ethos of the Lions who had, once again, sponsored the ceremony.

Students were placed in 11 local organisations and their roles have included befriending, gardening, fundraising, charity shop work and teaching assistants.

Testimonials written by the host organisations on their students were glowing in their praise and included comments such as; “She has been a real asset to our classroom and it has been a very positive experience for us all”, “I would not hesitate to recommend them to any future employer” and “She has shown a great deal of maturity and ambition and I am sure will be an asset to any organisation / career that she chooses”.

Kim Webb, development co-ordinator for Thornbury Volunteer Centre said “The benefits to students and organisations are immense.

“They gain valuable work experience and life skills and the organisations increase capacity and gain additional volunteer help”.

Castle in the Community has just completed its fourth year in partnership with Thornbury Volunteer Centre and preparations for next year’s scheme will start soon.

For more information or to get involved contact Kim Webb at Thornbury Volunteer Centre on 01454 413392 or mail@volunteer-thornbury.co.uk